Saltwater Shadows – Tags: appreciation, close to the coast, feelings, life lessons, lockdown, loneliness, Love, realisation, seaside living, self, self growth, understanding

Poem | When seaside living is just not meant to be

Must be so nice to live on the seafront
I bet you walk on the beach daily
Bare feet touching the slowly warming sand
Avoid treading on treacherous seashells

You’ll love dipping your toes
Into the salty sea, “they” said
You’ll love the breeze and the wind
blowing through your hair

“They” didn’t tell me
That the wind would be so forceful
Smashing me against the building
My scarf escaping, flying high in the sky

In summer, the town comes alive
Vivacious and vibrant, sparkling
With smiles and seatings around
To enjoy the traditional fish and chips

As you do by the seaside.
Uplifting to feel part of it
As I walk amongst the many tourists
Strolling or lying on the golden, sandy beach

But “they” didn’t tell me
That when everyone’s gone
When winter looms
Life can be lonely

All social life extinct
Sense of belonging gone
Along with the last summer train
Leaving an empty platform

Watching with a feeling of loss
Looking through one of the many windows
To the sea and the gulls right before my eyes
Diving and floating on the windy waves

The storm thrashing against the concrete panes
Shouting and shrieking, letting itself known
Harrowing sounds now encompass everyday life
At nighttime, music to drown out the rattling

Living so close to the sea
Why didn’t it feel more real?
Should be absolutely ecstatic
With a panoramic view to die for.

Why did I never feel at home?
Did I try hard enough? Was it lockdown
Preventing me from immersing myself
Into town life on the coast?

Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s life
Maybe I wasn’t meant to be
Content there, close to the sea
Separated from friends and family.

©Caz.C.Cole

This poem has also been published on Medium.