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Open Poetry #18
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Beach Erosion
| Open Poetry #18 |
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Beach Erosion |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion 
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Beach Erosion Along the cliff, a decaying boardwalk appears to bolster beach houses, rusty and white-washed by constant salty winds, a mollusk necklace from a sea gull’s view. Big winter surf crashes thunderously against the craggy base, pounding a relentless demand to reclaim red clay and sand. To the South, a wooden pier with cottages to let by the night – alabaster with deep blue trim, speckled in grayish guano. Beneath the pierage, the homeless make their beds of dune pillows; soon small fires will mark their presence. One woman sleeps on a cement slab next to cold water showers in the public restroom. Shells are nearly always broken here, trampled by many careless feet, but we manage to find one tiny Sand Dollar, filled with hairline cracks, but still whole. Further north, La Jolla, the jewel, where houses bear protective walls and notices of security systems in-place, but they can’t keep beach people from letting their dogs leave gifts on their sidewalks, nor can they stop the erosion of their back yards. After all, you can’t own the ocean. © 2002 Corinne Bailey [This message has been edited by Corinne (01-01-2002 03:13 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh, so very true Corinne. This is a wonderful vantage on life by the sea ... from the lofty secure houses, to the homeless on the dunes. Excellent imagery throughout, with a powerful statement in your conclusion. Much enjoyed!  Best wishes, /Kit |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (sigh) So very true, sweet Corrine, I was up in Oregon last summer and all along U.S 101 by the Pacific coast, the highway is so badly eroded and I wish that we wouldn't develop so heavily along the seashore and leave it to glimmer as it is with natures beauty and behold the pure joys and serenity of the beach! (sigh) The ocean only owns itself! (kiss on cheek) Sooooooo wonderfully expressed, sweet friend, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Corrine, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton [This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (01-01-2002 03:14 PM).] |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Beautifully rendered Corinne. You describe it so well. Joyce |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
but we manage to find one tiny Sand Dollar, filled with hairline cracks, but still whole. And isn't that the whole point? I really did like this, Cor hon. Ahh, you do this so well...very gentle smile..Logan |
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amusemi Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262A State of Disarray |
Very realistic depiction. I could imagine it very well. I like the dimension between all walks of life, i.e. the homelss vs. the well off. It really lends a great deal to the piece. Good job!! P.S. I am a misplaced Ocean girl stuck in a gorgeous mountain prison and I love anything about the sea. Thanks for taking me home if for just a moment!! |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
personally i would never own property on a beach, 'specially not in Florida with these hurricanes we have! |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Corinne - one cannot own the ocean is true, but some do try and reap it's wrath... BC |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Corinne, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Showing the two different walks of life then the line about the sand dollar....wonderfully penned. ~Hugs, Nancy~ *~ Wishing everyone a New Year filled with Peace & Love ~* |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thank you all for commenting. I was in San Diego for the Christmas holiday and found the two contrasts of life to be startling. A lot has changed there since I grew up. There always was homelessness, but not so many rich folk as there are now. Cor |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
you describe the scene very well here Corinne. . . it's almost like being there. . . you have that "poetic eye" that lets you bring it to us. . . great job. . . -------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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