18 July 2008



phantasms in the sand

young lovers sated with lifetime dreams
on the beach they poured their hopes all over each other
like being buried in the warm soft sand

newlyweds spilling over with aspirations
on the beach they conspired in private
enlisted in their war to achieve

older now established somewhat
on the beach they awaited the news
first grandbaby soon to be born

aged at last a few aches and pains
on the beach they reminisced and thought back
still suffused with the love of their youth

now they no longer go to the beach
one gone and one left behind
each holds a place for the other

invisible footprints layer the sand
millions they made on that beach
uncountable numbers of hot lonely tears

two ethereal lovers hold hands now
on the beach where they played through their years
so very deep in the reflecting pool

every night they still talk
one the beach no one knows

stars codes reaffirming that loves
image url: http://www.teresalunt.com/mvineyard/images/ghosts.jpg

24 comments:

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Aww, Danni, this is wonderful! It's touching and sweet and such a wonderful way to look at the ideas of being with the one you love forever.

*sigh*

You brought out the romantic in me.

Michelle said...

I'm such a hopeless romantic, as you are well aware!
Your post stirred my heart and brought me to another place and time!

Crafty Green Poet said...

very sweet and romantic

murat11 said...

I like the recurring "on the beach"; it brings a nice tidal rhythm.

anthonynorth said...

That is beautiful and touching.
Lovely.

Lucy said...

this is so sweet and sad too. great poem Danni

Granny Smith said...

This is lovely. All those footprints in the warm sand are true and friendly ghosts.

latree said...

so sweet... i love beach too.
it is always inspiring.
dandelion

Tammy Brierly said...

Danni, that was a beautiful poem. You photo was amazing and fit your poetry perfectly. We leave our marks in so many ways and love is my favorite.

Devil Mood said...

How lovely! Next time I'm at the beach, I think I'm going to remember this; it is a place for all these kinds of important moments to take place but we never think about the ghosts of love we may find at the beach...

Tammie Lee said...

so tender!
my heart is soft, sad and happy at once in the reading of your tale!

ChefDruck said...

Danni,
That is lovely. That's what I'd like to haunt with my husband. Moonlit walks with the crashing waves for eternity.

Beth Camp said...

Your poem catches the sense of love over time and time passing, yet love's still sweet every year. Nice.

Overeducated Twit said...

Love the title--anything involving the word "phantasm" is golden by my book. I love the glimpses of this couple growing from young newlyweds to content older couple--it's always a beautiful thing to see.

Anonymous said...

A wonderful romantic journey. Lovely.

S R Wood said...

Beautiful! I love the imagery of layers of invisible footsteps in the sand.

Miss Alister said...

Now that’s one thing I’ve never, ever thought of—the ghosts of longtime, lifetime lovers blowing in the ocean air, breeze, wind, skirting the sand around our feet, chasing around our live bodies, upward, back through our hair… Feeling both the peace and the fearsome power on the beach, and thinking it God or Spirit, I would be close to feeling the gentlish breezes wisping with reunited, happy lovers, and the fierce, whipping winds laden with solitary lovers wildly impatient for their earthly lovers to join them. What an awesome thought. I like it! :-)

Anonymous said...

I like the words repeated - like themes of a musical piece...

Tanya Gwen Minnick said...

Great job Danni, once again your writing is beautiful! I know he waits for you forever. Always keep those beach memories close girl!
the turtle pond is great, but doesn't compare to the sandy beach, we should soon make a beach trip.
xo

TD said...

Tara just phoned me from her cell phone. Her and Lee are on their way to the beach with some friends. Ironic that I read this just after I hung up with her. Hopefully their memories will be as special, and their foot prints will last as long. Well written kiddo, loved it.

TD

TD said...

Tara just phoned me from her cell phone. Her and Lee are on their way to the beach with some friends. Ironic that I read this just after I hung up with her. Hopefully their memories will be as special, and their foot prints will last as long. Well written kiddo, loved it.

TD

Mya said...

I love it. So romantic and the beach; perfect.
-Mya

Jan said...

Danni, your poetry has struck a chord with me; it reminds me of my mom and dad. They literally lived near the beach in SC and loved being together there. When I was a child, every year we spent 2 weeks at the beach in NJ. The beach was and is a very special place to be, for me, and my family as well. My dad passed away 3 years ago, and my mom still has his ashes. Her plan is to fly up in a helicopter and scatter them above the ocean and she wants the same thing done with hers when she is gone. She still talks to him as if he's there...and eventually I know they'll both be together and visit the beach and the ocean often. I love your poem!

Tammy Brierly said...

Hi Danni!
I'm taking some time for a few writing projects and I did not want to lose touch. I'll still blog but I'll be slowing down a bit. If you don't mind I'd like to add you to my morning blogline reads. Thanks so much for your moving support at SS.