April 25, 2008

The Walk

(This is an older piece I just came across. As July inches nearer it reminds me of a place I love.)

The door swings open and my eyes are blinded with the first blast of sunshine into the room. The morning is warm with a light summer breeze. It’s as if the sun has been up for hours but it is only 9:00 a.m. I left the house and my eyes began to focus on my destination. Only a block away, but just on the horizon I can see what appears to be the end of the earth. There are a few clouds in the air, just a little of what’s left from the early morning’s fog. The smell of salt water comes and goes with each gust of air. A smell so pungent you can taste it on your tongue. My barefoot feet start to sting from the heating pavement, so I walk on the grass. I can feel the blades mix with small amounts of sand between my toes. The walk is physically short, but this morning it feels like it takes all day. I can hear the roar of the ocean coming closer with each step, yet I can’t see the water. I’m only a few feet from the sand, but I haven’t touched the beach. There are a few short cement steps up and I’ve arrived. The beach has been warmed from the early morning sun. The sea breeze slaps me in the face while I sink into the grains of sand. My feet cool, slightly buried beneath the surface while I squint my eyes towards the water. The sun reflects off the calm ocean like a mirror. The waves are breaking right on the beach, and a few children frolic in the breakers. I pause and soak in the morning sunshine, with a view so serene that even the tight muscles in my back relax for a moment. I breathe the clean ocean air, a refreshing change from what my body is used to. My eyes pan the horizon and peer down the beach. Lifeguards prepare for a long days work, and a few beachgoers set up for their day spent at the beach. Everything turns to slow motion and a bead of sweat materializes on my forehead. I can feel it drip down my face realizing the sun has become quite hot. I shed my clothing, and dash for the ocean and just before I hit the break. I realize that this is exactly what it would be like living here in paradise.

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1 Comments:

Blogger (Fake) Mississippi John Hurt said...

very surreal...sounds like y'all might could write a few tunes...

June 3, 2008 1:44 PM  

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