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Seaside Shadows
by
Lauren McBride


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Striped shadows greet me
at the beach this morning --
charcoal lines on glittering sand      
below slatted fences leaning
lazily across seaside dunes.        

By midday, while
others bunch in tight circles
beneath beach umbrellas,
I prefer to wade
in the warm, shallow bay
below an old wooden bridge
where mussels, barnacles,
crabs, and sea stars
cling to rough pilings
and the sun cannot find me

until I emerge to squish
through mud for horseshoe crabs,
before racing back
to the outer beach
to ride chilly, rushing waves.

Exhausted come evening,
my shadow stretches tall
and drags behind
as I trudge home
with a few cherished
seashells and countless
precious memories.


This poem first appeared in Songs of Eretz Poetry Review (June 27, 2016).
Used here with permission.


Lauren McBride finds inspiration in faith, family, nature, science, and membership in the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA). Nominated for various awards, her work has appeared internationally in speculative and mainstream publications for adults and young adults. She is the author of a poetry collection for teens, Aliens, Magic, and Monsters (Hiraeth, 2023). Lauren lives in Texas and enjoys swimming, gardening, baking, reading, writing, and knitting scarves for U.S. troops.

 

 

 

 


Post New Comment:
Lori Levy:
The "striped shadows" pull me in to the poem. Great beach details.
Posted 09/02/2022 12:07 PM
Sharon Waller Knutson:
I love this sensuous picturesque poem because it captures my love for the ocean using metaphors and alliteration. My favorite imagery: seaside shadows, striped shadows and charcoal lines on glittering sand below slatted fences leaning lazily across seaside dunes.
Posted 09/02/2022 11:08 AM
KevinArnold:
Yes, the seaside, made more powerful by not ever being named.
Posted 09/02/2022 09:02 AM


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