Reprieve

Grandfather At The Beach

Photo Credit: Mark Grace

Reprieve
(for Linda)

Once you have heard the

seagulls, have felt the swish of

feet through sand and surf;

once you have tasted ocean
swells and smelt air heavy with
oyster beds and seaweed, you

can never be happy about

the cities and towns you

carry like a crippling weight

upon your back;

Do not be dismayed,

Be of good cheer,

marooned as you are in 

your office chair, waiting 

patiently for your last reprieve 

before summer shambles

into fall, before children dis-

appear into the ringing of bells, the 

smell of salt sea fades on distant breezes;

Unpack, now,

 your memories of 

grandfather, the beach 

and little man's 

laughter;

They will bring you home.

Mark Grace

August 2012

Photo Credit: www.crosscards.com