In Featured Poem, NLAPW

Featured Poem: Five O’ Clock

NLAPWby NLAPW

By Fern Overvold
Atlanta Branch

 

The lifeguard on Boca Beach took down the green fair-weather flag that barely fluttered all day, stowed his gear, and disappeared up the sand dune through wild sea oats and sea grape leaves. Although he left, others stayed.

A few citrus-colored sun umbrellas remain along the water’s edge with bronze legs splayed out in front, toes pointed skyward. Long-time husbands and wives, so comfortable with silence, sip the salty air like tea, drowsing and waking, gazing and dreaming. Before them, a vast canvas of dancing waves and graceful clouds paints itself as they watch.

This is the quiet time of day. Young mothers with sun-pinkened children have left to prepare an early dinner for their exhausted little ones. Twenty-somethings who played beach volleyball in the afternoon have gone to their restaurant jobs to haul heavy trays of food and smile for bigger tips.

Now is the time for quiet contemplation. Time to watch a diving pelican. To marvel at the skittering legs of tiny birds that barely miss the incoming waves. A time to consider the majesty of the Earth and its workings: lunar tides and circling galaxies.

It is five o’clock. The setting sun craws a soft glowing curtain that puts the day to rest.

8 comments

  1. Dorothy Kamm says:

    Beautifully written! You capture the moment and the feelings with descriptive words and imagery. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Claire Massey says:

    What a timely poem to enjoy as summer begins! We are reminded to relax, and contemplate the “vast canvas” of nature.

  3. Patricia Setser says:

    Just love this. It painted a wonderful picture and told a great story. You really draw the audience into this event. I would like to read more of your stories.
    Thank you for sharing.

  4. Pat W says:

    Just read your wonderful poem at 5:30pm sitting on beach. I had experienced the same warm feelings. Lived that you put the glow into words!

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