Sand Dollar

Heaven caught us quite by chance
between some large sand dunes
and the ocean on Cape Cod
adults new near high noon. 

"Look at this!" she said to me
holding a sand dollar
and I amazed this intricacy
flowed out of her a flower
had no chance caught by romance
and nature's lovely offer. 

After walking to the car
miles in deep soft sand
omen to boys
who love their toys
those days are now
numbered. 

What was this rounded thing? 
it really spoke to me
and it said
prepare
you're dead. 

(But new life
could
be coming) . 

Sand dollars inspire one 
but I will need your cousins.

Move to Florida and spend
all our time on beaches
finding shells
trying to be

an author and a teacher. 

Ah youth and love and
missing verse
she's asleep at eight.

Perhaps I missed
a turn of late and should
reevaluate. 

Sand dunes hide so many things
treasures in the night 
forever lost we struggle on
young lovers sleeping late.         
 
While sand dollars whisper "run"
or swim and rule your fate 
you were too young for serious love
fly be young and wait.   

Here's a silver dollar
minted somewhere in France
grandson of my girl please read
stay away from sand

stick to silver stock instead
it will save you miles
and prepare the one you love
to live with you awhile. 





The Legend of the Sand Dollar
Shell shops often sell sand dollar tests with poems or plaques attached that tell the Legend of the Sand Dollar. The original author of the poem is unknown but the legend has been passed on for many years. Below is an excerpt of what is thought to be the original poem.

Now break the centre open
And here you will release,
The five white doves awaiting
To spread Good Will and Peace.
Christian authors have written many variations of this poem, likening sand dollar markings to the Easter lily, Star of Bethlehem, poinsettia, and the five wounds of the crucifixion. For some, discovering a sand dollar shell on the beach can lead to deep religious reflection.

 

 

Parking Lot

For now I journey every day
while home still in the chair
dear earth takes us
deep through space

we fly so far out there. 

In dreams I leave my ride  
unlocked and search for it
sometimes 

active is the life we lead
recovering our things.  

Does it really matter
if I find my car ?
we are swifty traveling
on magic bursting wings.  

If some night I find my ride
in a dream and drive
let me race the earth awhile
and wait for friends outside.

There used to be great pressure
to get things done and run
now we rest in dreams pleasant
while searching for our cars!     

It may be quite annoying
for some more active folk 
to read about someone
who bums  

around upon the rock.

I really got relaxed this winter
all the ice and snow
great meals and warmth
it's hard to get up

motivate and go.

It's difficult to break the cycle
venture out alone
the mailbox is across the street
enough said

Let's jet indoors.   

 

Out of the City

Right on main street left one block
middle of the road still rocks
but no romanticism other isms
leave them bitter stocks.

Signed off all the shadow streets
now country roads new places

Let me see the long blonde hair
of wheat waving out there
and ride upon the backs of hawks
swoop down to comb the hares.

Rhyme is reason birds of song
resting score lines call 
everywhere the choir sings
I sleep ears to my wings.  

Wind me up and spin me out
a river runs right through here
Let me fish and swim 
grab the rope swings out

opens

ride till half-past nine. 

Let me love you earth of mine
leave you worn out parts
right on mountains

left then rise and start

a little song with leaves and art
endless country plots
spirits court the countryside
so many wide-eyed spots.   

 

Momma's Clothes Line

Last time he stood here
in the breeze
Mom had just turned 23
and he was maybe 4.

Clothes pin on her finger
basket on the ground
sky above her eyes of blue
as sharp sheets snap his arms.

Hand gently pats shoulder
linen brushes hair
maybe this is heaven 
white flags underwear. 

Winds pour out this morning
flash down to the town
names upon the monuments
clothes run underground. 

When did it become a thing
children should be born
raised wrapped up returned to us
for the red striped ground?

Momma liked a happy home
healthy neat routine
nice clean laundry
safe bright aisles

Grandkids flowering. 

 

The Thought of You

Sudden nick right here
while shaving
red line down the chin
falling off into the water

map the drain fall in.

Moments in the bathroom
lots of fog about
showering the ancient bod
until hot stuff runs out. 

Cold, dark rain outside is falling
drain gurgling odd sounds
reminder lots of cells are sailing
back into the ground. 

There's a stream runs through the seasons
heads down to the sea
with the songs sung in the shower
far away with me. 

Mirror on the wall reflects
nothing much at all 
youthful parts surely have fled
experienced the fall. 

Soon will everything be going
and we perhaps as well
accomplishments unspoken
some close brushes with hell

planet sized assembly lines
bathroom morning drills  
all of it a million times
waiting for the thrills.

Sitting in the bathroom
planning a new move
just like famous persons
using the bathroom. 

Retirement is different
than the pamphlet said
announcing the elderly
should really die instead. 

All the world's a blessing
even parts insane
even numbing boredom
when you play the game.  
 

 

Done With Fishing

All the tangled fishing line
on the reel right now
while a fish so glorious
swims happily downtown.

Time to take the trousers off
peel the outer layer
dive into the cold water
gather up down there. 

Just a different way to breathe
gills instead of nose
fins propel the flashing skin
beyond the grasp he goes. 

Drift down where  coral lives
spend another hour
in the silent currents
full of ancient power.
 
Disguised as tiny atoms
gnats that come and go
on the surface of this place
a ping and circle show.

Streaking to the surface
free from all the lines
fresh and full of everything
bursting from the brine.

Just another fisherman
bought the whole food chain
then diving deeply into it
finally found his way.