ANNE ON THE SAND.

A BOY AND GIRL ESCAPE A NURSING HOME TO GO ON THE BEACH IN 1958

Benny wheels
Anne’s chair
up the path

between trees
the sun bright
overhead

other kids
on the lawn
by the home

riding swings
or the slide
move on Kid

Anne says
out the gate
on the beach

Benny grips
the handles
pushes hard

through the gate
on the path
to the beach

have the nuns
seen us yet?
Anne asks

don't think so
Benny says
Sister Luke's

not looking
she's as blind
as a bat

couldn't find
her backside
with both hands

Anne says
the tide's out
Benny says

this is it
Skinny Kid
this is life

he watches
her one leg
sticking out

from her dress
her leg stump
out of sight

push me there
Anne points
to the sand

near the edge
want to smell
the sea's scent

hear the sound
of the waves
on the shore

he pushes on
over sand
deep ridges

as he goes
looking down
at her dress

the stump shows.

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

There is a danger in a piece like this--especially when it is filtered through the decades--that the gentleness can slide over the line into the cloying or, even worse, the patronizing. You've avoided that pitfall here very nicely; it's gentle and nostalgic, but it isn't overwhelmed by the latter.

[Terry Collett]

Thank you. Anne was not the kind to be cloying about...I have toned her down a bit.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I must admit, your closure struck a nerve with me, but at the same time, it was quite powerful and very moving. It reminded me of that lump that you get in your throat, when nothing more can be said.

[Terry Collett]

Thank you,Kelly