From far away,
the kids become silhouettes,
sand crabs
digging in the surf,
dried out dune grass,
strangers,
glimmering clumps,
washed up seashells,
squatters.
The beach aged overnight.
Scoliosis shoreline,
the seagulls, wrinkles
in the forehead’s thin sky,
greying temples,
a receding tidemark,
collapsed dunes of
loose, sagging sand.
I cup a few grains for a moment
before breezes
strip them from my hands.
© khartless 2022, All Rights Reserved
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
I had to giggle scoliosis for that inspired line. K.Hartless; genius at work.😂
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Thank you kindly, Hobbo. Tideline was warped that last morning when I scratched these lines in my journal, and well, I remember getting my back checked in school. Don’t think they bother these days.
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🙂 A tiny example of your emormous talent.
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the title drew me in, the plain spokenness of it and then that stunning second stanza, that voracious vignette, that stands alone; I almost resented the other stanzas
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Off with this poem’s head. Thank you , John. This comment has me all grins this evening.
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thank you, K; I had my editor’s cap on when I wrote this 🙂
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A scoliosis shoreline is, yes, just the shape of the beach in front of my grandparents’ old condo. Best spring breaks Ever😌
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Sounds lovely; grandparents on the beach, how lucky for you. I’m already plotting a return to the shore.
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There’s just no better place.
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I love this. Such a dramatic switch from youth to age but so eloquently represented in the beach scene. And then the word “strip” in the last stanza – it takes on a kind of violence even in the simpleness of your action. It’s really a beautiful poem.
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Thank you kindly, Worms. I remembered there were lots of scrawls in my journal from New Years, and this one, well, I do feel she’s special. A moment really, like all the rest, but beautiful and brief. Cheers.
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Absolutely gorgeous writing.
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Thank you, Misky. Perma-grin here.
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Thank you.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. 😊
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That description of the aging beach is amazing
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Thank you kindly, JYP.
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Another stunning piece, as everyone’s already praised in far better words than mine. 😀 Wonderful contrast between the childhood innocence in the first stanza and the visceral ageing imagery in the second, the rumpled effects of time. Wonderfully written, K! ❤
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Your filling my sails with these superb comments, Tom. I can’t thank you enough for reading and leaving me such strong praise. I’m very grateful for the boost, especially from your talented pen. Cheers.☺️💜
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You’re ever so kind yourself, milady ❤ So thrilled you've enjoyed my steampunk-inspired stories & left such encouraging feedback! 😀 Hope you have a lovely Burns Night ahead!
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Thanks, and you as well. Headed back into your story soon. 💜
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good ❤️❤️
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💜
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