Day Twenty-One
on APRIL 21, 2022
Happy end of the third week of Na/GloPoWriMo 2022, everybody!
Today’s (optional) prompt is one I got from the poet Betsy Sholl. This prompt asks you to write a poem in which you first recall someone you used to know closely but are no longer in touch with, then a job you used to have but no longer do, and then a piece of art that you saw once and that has stuck with you over time. Finally, close the poem with an unanswerable question. Happy writing!
The beach is not a place,
it’s a feeling you used to say.
Yeah, yeah, I’d say and laugh.
But a feeling I didn’t know then.
We grew up,
followed our own path
and only now
I’ve come to understand:
The beach is not a place
or even something palpable.
It’s a timeless and sometimes illogical
feeling of longing in your heart.
We used to go there for happy hour
With only just dollars in our pockets.
Paid for one drink, hoarded the trays
Chomped on finger food for an hour
Then the roles turned, we got jobs there
Prepping trays for hoarding customers
And the kitchen boys and we
Went for Pizza after happy hour
© 2022 selmamartin.com
Banner & Button, Maureen Thorson. Thanks for reading.
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
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‘The beach is not a place
or even something palpable.
It’s a timeless and sometimes illogical
feeling of longing in your heart.’
❤️❤️❤️
Ingrid, so glad you chose that section to highlight. It’s a true feeling I have about the beach. Thanks for reading.
The beach is not a place
or even something palpable.
This is beautiful. The ever-changing and contrasting nature of life beautifully done.
Life. How precious, right? Happy to know which section grabbed you. Be well, dear Sonia. I bless you
Selma, this is beautiful! Love this 💕🙂
I’m thrilled to have your support. Stay sweet. xoxo
Love the feel of this one, it’s deeply rooted in nostalgia
Nostalgia. Yes. People and places we used to know. Thanks for reading, dear Deb.
Wistful and full of love. (K)
Thanks, K. There was a lot of those two feelings. Thanks for reading.
I enjoyed both perspectives on the beach experience, Selma 🙂
Thanks, Lynn. Glad you read. xoxo
What a splendid poem that brings to life two perspectives of the same experience!
Jaya, dear, so glad you read and enjoyed. Thanks for the visit, dear one.
This is splendidly captured dear Selma! ❤️
Indeed glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much. xoxo
You’re welcome! ❤️
Beautiful. I can feel this longing, even though the beach is right here. And then I don’t go there.
Human nature.
Thanks for the comment. Happy Writing.
I enjoyed this poem very much. I particularly like the lines – ‘It’s a timeless and sometimes illogical feeling of longing in your heart’. Beautiful emotion. The last verse appealed to me too. You are a very talented writer, and I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far.
Ellie, dearest, so glad you got this one and found something you liked. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I bless you and wish you miracles. xoxo
Thank you, Selma. That’s very kind of you. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts. Xx <3
I love how this poem came full circle. Such a big story told in such few words. Shows waht a skilful wordsmith you are. Loved this stanza especially:
“The beach is not a place
or even something palpable.
It’s a timeless and sometimes illogical
feeling of longing in your heart.”
<3