Down by the Shore

There's a place where no one knows you but everything cares.

The brokenhearted are regulars there.

Something about it always draws them.

Like moths to a flame.

A mesmerizing magnet.

They comb the beach, searching for answers.

Watering the ground with their tears.

Wailing an ocean of woe.

Trying to wring the worry from their hearts.

Sitting at the edge on brackish benches of dejected driftwood.

Guts screaming in silence.

Entrails expunged. 

They plead their cases like listless lawyers.

Bartering with the sand.

Bargaining with the waves.

Haggling with high tide.

Whispering to the wind in a sacrilegious sidebar. 

Offering pieces of their souls to the sea in exchange for understanding.

They ply their gods with impassioned intoxicants.

Anything for abject absolution and justice, however jaundiced.

The ocean is their jury.

The moon their magistrate.

 The sun their sentencer.

Tossed about like cowardly cards in a paranoid, poker parlor.

Bereaved bottles.

Decanters of depression.

Vehement vessels.

Fanatical flagons of false faith.

Carrying declarations and decrees.

Villainous verdicts and jaded judgments.

Starcrossed sos-s.

Concealed confessions on sanguine scrolls and pitiful parchments.

Corked for a lifetime.

Floating for eternity.

Fishing for explanations.

Waiting for rescue that never resolves ...

... down by the shore ...

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love the way you take an ordinary observation, like sad folks combing the beach, & you pump it up to a point of exaggeration that's still true-to-life, but also showing off your word-crafting almost to the point of distraction (not in a bad way). You've crafted dozens of phrases here that make so much sense in meaning, while also being a showboat of word sounds such as alliteration & so much more. It's like we start out on the beach, but your onslaught of crafty observations takes us on another journey too. A journey thru the various dark places in a sad life. Amazing command of vocabulary, something I very much admire & enjoy (((HUGS))) fondly, Margie

[Pete]

(smiling with appreciation). you are a great reviewer, not because you say nice things but because you immerse yourself in what is being conveyed and "get it" so well, even reading between the lines. thank you barleygirl!

[barleygirl]

It helps me learn how to do poetry better, too! *smile* Thanks for your sweetness (((HUGS)))

[Giulia King]

This is absolutely beautiful! As always, I really love the way you write. The words are pure perfection and it's a treat to read your poems :)

[Pete]

you're too kind Giullia. it couldn't possibly be that good.

[Giulia King]

I promise, it is!

[Ruth]

Gorgeous! The shore has always been a huge pull to many, the forgiving tide washing away all the struggles and cares, healing in its many layers of beauty, love this :)

[Pete]

thank you Poppy. appreciate you stopping by. been going to the shore myself as it has been quite hot.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pete... I am amazed by your words of wisdom personified in this painting... with strokes of regret and acceptance of the verdict of the sea
and jaded judgements. truly penned with teardrops... Pat

[Pete]

you clearly grasp the feelings and thoughts and it touched you. thank you Pat for deeply felt comment. it is appreciated.

[MsJewel]

Great use of imagery in this well written poem Pete. A pleasure to read. Thanks so much for the read request. Julie

[Pete]

thank you. i always appreciate your time to review and kind comments.