Winter months find the
beach house deserted.
No sandy trails lead in and out.
No half-filled pails, shovels,
grit-covered flip-flops,
half-dried towels or discarded bathing suits
lie in a hodge-podge pile on
the white-railed wooden porch.
The shutters are pulled tight against
ragged winds and spitting tides.
The laughter of summer’s play
has subsided into the short,
dreary days of winter’s respite.
No longer inviting–it sits in silence.
Winter now enjoys the
vacant beaches, its squalls
blow unhindered across the frothing tides,
in and out to sea.
Shells, sea glass and drift wood
rest upon the shore untouched,
sand layered over them,
perchance to be discovered
someday by deliberate search.
Chilly days grow icy
and bitter, offshore gusts
bluster ashore, collapsing waves
upon the gray, empty beach.
The house and shore celebrate
this time alone, savoring
the quiet time for reflection
and rejuvenation–their winter
solstice spiritual retreat.
My entry for Thursday’s Poet’s Rally: http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/09/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week_21.html
Bodhirose's Blog 
Androgoth
/ September 22, 2011I like this one Gayle, you have presented it so very well too with a wonderful description within the lines of your artistry… you know I rather like the beach during the winter months, yes it is cold and rather secluded but it is also very calming with a crispness that freshens the senses…
Have a most delightfully exquisite
rest of evening, and a lovely Friday 🙂
Androgoth Xx
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011The beach here in the winter isn’t so bad really–I was projecting a more severe type of weather for my poem.
Your comments are so sweet–thanks so much, Androgoth.
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Jamie Dedes
/ September 22, 2011Love the beach at winter. Thanks for this delightful portrait. For a moment I was transported to a peaceful shore …
🙂 You don’t have much of a winter there, do you?
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011No, we don’t have much of a winter–usually. Sometimes we’ll be surprised by some very harsh, low temperatures. (Below 70 degrees is cold to me!) But our beaches are pretty much pleasant all year round.
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Renee Espriu
/ September 22, 2011This is simply a poetic symphony of words that leave music in my mind and heart. I love the ocean and see so clearly here all that you have described. I so miss the ocean beaches of my youth and you have brought it back to me. Thank You!
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Oh–so glad you have some good memories of the beach, Renee. I do too. Thanks for your very kind compliment for me.
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Lorna's Voice
/ September 23, 2011Makes me want to curl up under a blanket and listen to the waves…
Beautiful! You have a way with words that create such moods and feelings. Quite inspiring.
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Yes, wouldn’t that feel cozy.
So glad you enjoyed this, Lorna–I really appreciate your generous compliment.
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S Basu
/ September 23, 2011amazing portrayal of the contrast. very beautiful scene formed in mind. a little sad yet hauntingly beautiful. just loved it.
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Empty, abandoned houses can seem sad can’t they. Thanks for loving it, Trisha.
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S Basu
/ September 24, 2011they sure leave a sad feeling, without least doubt.
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S Basu
/ September 27, 2011where are your posts?
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Bodhirose
/ September 29, 2011I’ve been drawing a blank. Also, have been spending time with my mother at her doctor’s appointments lately. I think it gets me out of the flow for writing.
How are things with you? No letter yet! 😦
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Mama Zen
/ September 23, 2011Gorgeous writing. Both desolate and beautiful.
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Much gratitude for your kindness, Mama Zen.
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poetryroad
/ September 23, 2011Vivid writing!
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Thanks so much. 🙂
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marit
/ September 23, 2011this is how i’m feeling about the changing seasons today!
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Not much is changing here yet. It’s wishful thinking on my part.
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Inside the Mind of Isadora
/ September 23, 2011AAwwww … it reminds me of the days when we had to close up the summer place we rented out in the Hamptons in New York. The deserted beaches, the shutters tightly shut and the furniture covered up with sheets awaiting our return. You have described it so beautifully, Gayle.
Summer is over and now winter wakes to become the new season.
Exceptionally emotional write that brought back memories,now, gone..!!!
Lovely …
Namaste,
Izzy xoxoxo
my entry to the Poets Rally:
http://insidethemindofisadora.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/yes-how-old-we-get/
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Seems like beach houses bring up a lot of memories for people–a common memory that many share. So glad you enjoyed this and the happy thoughts it brought you, Izzy.
As you well know, winter is still ages away for us!
Namaste,
Gayle xoxo
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tigerbrite
/ September 23, 2011This is so lovely. I walked beachcoming in my imagination. Nothing like that here, the beach is busy all the year round.
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Thank you. I love walking along the beach–my eyes are always glued to the sand looking for treasures.
The beaches here in Florida are always busy too. I pretended it was a beach somewhere very cold. Not here!
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booguloo
/ September 23, 2011What a beautiful picture of the winter shore.
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Bodhirose
/ September 23, 2011Thanks, Michael.
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Ravenblack
/ September 24, 2011Nice. It became cold and lonely towards the end, already a longing when the warm season has only just passed, but you’ve ended it well with a message that perhaps it’s good to use such as a time for reflection instead of activity. Enjoyed reading your poem.
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Bodhirose
/ September 24, 2011Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
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anjum wasim dar
/ September 24, 2011‘Chilly days grow icy” lines which greatly arouse the sense of cold numbness, emptiness, yet profound spiritual peace.Great poem.
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Bodhirose
/ September 24, 2011So glad you enjoyed this, Anjum. Thank you.
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mbwilliams
/ September 24, 2011Very nice indeed, wintertime on the beach, when the hot days are past and we sit close around the fire dreaming of spring.
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Bodhirose
/ September 24, 2011Thanks so much. I appreciate your comments.
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brian
/ September 24, 2011and i just happen tobe retreating atthe beach…though it is only autumn…it def has a different feel than the summer….and hasa bit more peace…this is nicely penned…
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Bodhirose
/ September 24, 2011How nice for you–enjoy your time there, Brian. Thanks for taking the time to come by and, as always, leave a kind comment.
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Anthony F. Rando
/ September 24, 2011“The house and shore celebrate…this time alone, savoring…the quiet time for reflection” So vivid and beautiful
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Bodhirose
/ September 25, 2011Thank you for coming by and sharing your kind thoughts, Anthony.
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The Orange Tree
/ September 24, 2011amazing seasonal piece.
lovely entry.
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Bodhirose
/ September 25, 2011Thanks so much.
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Susie Clevenger
/ September 25, 2011I like this a lot….the beach gets a retreat from the noise of summer…I enjoy going to the beach on the off season…let the water and wind play its soothing song to my spirit…
Nice transition from summer to winter
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Bodhirose
/ September 25, 2011Thanks, Susie. I enjoy the beach mostly in the evenings and the off season too–I like it more to myself than with a crowd.
I appreciate your comments and visit.
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fallenelegy
/ September 26, 2011there is a beach i love to visit about 40km away from where i live. once i visited there with a few of my friends on a winter. we were bored and wanted a retreat. somehow the idea that won was visiting that faraway beach in the dead of winter. luckily there was no snow that day. but the whole area was deserted and bleak, the theme parks were crumbling, devoid of people, the waters were slow and cold. winds stung like needles. some abandoned fishing boats too.
your poem reminded me of that day, i sure enjoyed the trip but the bleak imagery left me something deeper to be desired. it made me think in a whole different way. this beautiful poem paints the image of that beach perfectly. but after reading completely i would now think of the beach as:
“savoring
the quiet time for reflection
and rejuvenation–their winter
solstice spiritual retreat.” not anymore about a bleak abandoned scenario. thank you 🙂
your poems are inspiring and deep. they have become something i love to read and the inspiration and calmness they bring is ethereal. therefore with gratitude i nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award. 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ September 26, 2011I am so honored not only that you are inspired by my writing but by you nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award as well. Thank you very much–it brings me much gratitude that I have been able to write something that is meaningful to another.
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saya
/ September 26, 2011I have never been to a beach ever. I walked along the winter beach shore imagining , while reading your post.
Beautifully expressed the winter shore:)
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Bodhirose
/ September 26, 2011So glad I was able to introduce you to a beach in this way. Some beaches are filled with many treasures and the water holds amazing sea animals. I love to enjoy nature at the beach. I’m happy you came by.
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short poems
/ September 26, 2011Creatively written, and brilliant imagery. Love it!
take care
marinela
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Bodhirose
/ September 26, 2011I’m very happy you loved this, Marinela–thank you for that lovely comment.
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The Cello Strings
/ September 26, 2011you rock.
very profound piece.
🙂
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Bodhirose
/ September 26, 2011Thanks so much for that generous compliment. 😉
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Ector Ward
/ September 26, 2011Cool idea…winter goes on a beach retreat for reflection
and rejuvenation
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Bodhirose
/ September 26, 2011Thanks–I appreciate your kind comment on my poem idea.
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caridwen
/ September 27, 2011I love the images in this – crisp and tightly woven together to create a real scene. Well done! Here’s mine for this week: http://caridwen.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/drafting-the-orb-weaver/
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Bodhirose
/ September 28, 2011Thanks so much–I appreciate that. And thank you for the link to your writing.
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Kay Salady
/ September 27, 2011This is very well articulated. I’m so very happy to have had the pleasure of reading it. Thank you!
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Bodhirose
/ September 28, 2011Thanks so much for a lovely compliment!
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pandamoniumcat
/ September 28, 2011Oh this is lovely, I love the beach when it is alone, vacant and blustery, you have captured it beautifully!
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Bodhirose
/ September 28, 2011Thank you very much. It is very peaceful that way isn’t it.
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liv2write2day
/ September 28, 2011I do love this one and the whole sense of retreat you create. There is something about off-season emptiness that attracts me–probably the solitude. The introspective nature of winter is so well-portrayed.
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Bodhirose
/ September 28, 2011Thank you, Victoria and so happy to have you back again. I’m a solitude-loving kind of person too–I prefer uncrowded beaches.
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Miss Kitten
/ September 28, 2011Just lovely and beautifully descriptive. One doesn’t really give much thought to what goes on with all those summer beach houses and cottages during the long cold winter. I agree that it may seem a bit sad and lonely but they probably welcome the solitude.
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becca givens
/ September 28, 2011Summer beach homes brim with an abundance of activity and frenzy … but on the other side … the calm of the “off season” provides a solitary retreat worth enjoying! I loved this, Gayle! Thank you for the memories of such a retreat!! 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ September 29, 2011So happy you enjoyed this, Becca. Thanks for coming by. 🙂
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dragonkatet
/ September 28, 2011I’ve visited a beach in winter and your words capture the feelings surrounding it very well! It can be lonesome, but as you also said there is a sense of peace and regathering energy for the hectic pace when the people come back again. Solitude need not be sad. 🙂 Really liked this piece!
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Bodhirose
/ September 29, 2011So true, Corina–solitude can be very restorative. If I don’t get my recommended daily allowance, I won’t feel like myself! 🙂
I’m very glad you enjoyed this–thanks so much.
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Okelle
/ September 30, 2011“Winter now enjoys the
vacant beaches,”
Does a good job of evoking my own love for beaches during the colder months. Have you considered left-aligning your poems? I find they flow better without the center justification.
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Bodhirose
/ September 30, 2011Thank you for your thoughts and comment, Okelle.
I do left-align some of my poems–I really hadn’t thought about the flow being less when centered though. Thanks for sharing your observation.
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bardessdmdenton
/ October 1, 2011Very visual, wonderful choice and flow of words. Lovely poetry.
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Bodhirose
/ October 1, 2011Thanks so much–I appreciate the generous compliment.
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A.B. Thomas
/ October 2, 2011Fantastic write, it’s a very grey piece, it could have been dark but its a sedate mood that looks toward the resurgence of summer.
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Bodhirose
/ October 2, 2011I appreciate your compliment, A.B.–thank you. Yes, I made it more of a time of retreat than bleak darkness–makes a difference doesn’t it.
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Bodhirose
/ October 2, 2011Thanks for the link and the nomination–you’re a sweetheart!
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