The High Tide

a walk on the shoreline at sunset

art work “beach walk” by Amanda Russian

It is sunset

the flag of my former self

whips against the wind

the waterfront

               drowsy on a full stomach of sand castles

invites me to crawl under a blanket of wet sand

day dreams transport me to another place

where the distorted light of memory

casts a rosy glow on my world

unnamed figures bob up and down in the waves

while my lips taste an all too familiar salty brine

a bird smirks as it flies by

telling me the joke’s on me

my laugh is lost in the high tide of life

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

'.. the waterfront
drowsy on a full stomach of sand castles
invites me to crawl under a blanket of wet sand -
day dreams transport me to another place '

From those words to your poem's end, you took me to a different time but meandered with feelings and memories that have near branded your heart and remain hidden until they gently reminded your of a shared past existence wrapped with everything colourful that made for smiles but somehow attracted negatives as if wanting to pull you under the waves. This is sad. A once upon a time that returns. Perhaps

[Lydia Shutter]

The beach has always been inspirational to me and it holds more memories than I can say, Emma. I so appreciate you going back ten years to see this one....it is as if it is reborn! Thank you. Lydi**

[Jimmy Yetts]

Made me taste the brine.
Has a lovely, somewhat melancholy, you-are-there quality.
One exhilarating and gratifying stroll, Lydi!

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, this was a melancholy one. Thank you, Frankie. Lydi**

[Clockwork]

Time can shuffle scenes from our past in our waking world, teasing us with cruel jests. I think that idea appears in the final two lines of this piece. Those reveries can be difficult as we grapple with longing.

The beautiful thing about this piece for me is the idea of "the flag of my former self." The idea that we are states or countries with colorful banners, representing the phases of our life. Sometimes we redesign our colors, but the history of each banner influences the nation.

Imagery of details such as the sandcastles and the figures in the water were truly haunting. Those were great descriptions of how the past creeps into our world.

Even though a few stars may have come stitched over time, it still waves valiantly in the breeze of this memory. Well done, my friend.

[Lydia Shutter]

Your reviews are amazing! You delve into my words and come up with the meanings I intended. I thank you so much. Lydi**

[Clockwork]

You are very welcome, Lydi. I appreciate the opportunity to read your words.

[Stella Armour]

Most beautiful images and phrases Lydi, you took me there with you dreaming on the waterfront..

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Stella. Lydi**

[Tiana]

Such wonderful images you've painted in my mind ... I can hear the tide, the birds and feel the wet sand as I walk along the shore. Beautiful Lydi**

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Tiana. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... sand castles settle in with the
tide, as memories live within our mind.
I would almost bury my grandmother in the
sand with only her face with laughing eyes
and giggles filled my young heart with Joy.
Filling a bucket with sand and tiny shells to
carry home to show my friends. My Dad floating
on the ocean's gentle waves and Mom
tending the water cooler with food and
cold drinks under a huge umbrella with
colored wings to protect her from the sun.
Memories with family, aunts, uncles and
cousins. Your poetry brings it all back to
life once again. truly... Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

What lovely memories, Pat. Thank you so much for reading my words and sharing your thoughts. Lydi**

[KeeD]

A beautiful picture you paint, the imagery is vivid and I can dwell my feet into the soft water on the shoreline
Time and tide wait for no man yet we surf the waves of life when the tide is high. Great write Ms Lydia Shutter

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so kind. Thank you. Lydi**

[Fran Marie]

I can imagine every line in this piece ..filled with vivid imagery..you take the reader there with your exquisite verse...beautiful metaphors within and lovely graphic matches your words so nicely

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Fran Marie. Lydi**

[MomzillaNC]

Your poem is like the pull of the sea on my memory. Some of the few good memories of my childhood center around the seaside. I've spent all my adulthood feeling the ebb and flow of the sea, pulling my dreams back there, feeling that it is were we (my husband, my son, and myself) belong. You're imagery is that kind of pull. Very well penned.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much. Lydi**

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome.

[AprilRN1210]

what I love about your writing is that you tickle my mind while tickling my heart.... the clever phrasing, the intermixing of imagery and thoughts all whilst tugging on my heartstrings.. it always makes for the most exquisite experience... this one transports me to the sandy shores where my senses are teased with enchanting imagery while my mind scrambles to keep up... my heart can feel those dreams.. that longing.. those waves that wash over trying to knock us down.. results in a beautifully moving piece... and while those birds may be flying over laughing, the ability to laugh with them is priceless and a rare, needed quality....lovely as always my friend.. :)

[Lydia Shutter]

April, when you review one of my poems, I feel my words come alive because of your review. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[AprilRN1210]

I think that is one of the nicest compliments I have ever gotten from a review.. Thank you so much!.. and it is always a pleasure... your page is one of the first I come to- checking to see if new additions have been made:)

[Lydia Shutter]

(((April))))

[AprilRN1210]

((big ole southern squishy hugs)) back at ya!!