All the beaches I visited in Australia were beautiful. Some more than others of course. The white, smooth sand was so soft that when my feet sunk in the soothing powder it felt like they were encased in a pair of velvety slippers. I loved the mellow aroma of salt in the air, the crystal-clear turquoise waters, the sound of the ocean waves lapping against the shore, seagull cries and seabirds resting on the crest of the breaking surf, their feathers brightening the sea. Beaches without litter and garbage. Surrounded by magnificent coastlines: cliffs, coves, and rocky outlets.
Swimming in the warm waters was especially nice as was relaxing on beach towels under the hot sun’s rays. Sometimes the wind would pick up and we’d take long walks on the beach edge trying to outsmart incoming tides. In those moments it felt as if I was a kid again, laughing when a wave caught me unawares, grabbing my husband’s hand, remembering who we are, what’s important, and what’s not.
It’s hard to find words to describe the exquisiteness of my days on the many spectacular beaches I had the privilege of visiting, but I’ll try.
Mooloolaba
Wave after wave
plummets the shoreline
white-tailed possums at night
kookaburra calls in the morning
by midday the sun
feels like I am in an oven
creamy white sand
too hot to walk on
without my flip flops
salt crusts my upper lip
sand in my swimsuit bottoms
wave after wave
plummets the shoreline
lulls my thoughts
of old age, sickness, death
lulls my heart
of loss, what-ifs, what-now
lulls the throb
the constant tide
of not knowing
wave after wave
plummets the shoreline
quiets the ache
of my yesterdays.
Solace is everywhere. Enjoy the Passage of Time.
Sharon
© 2023. Sharon Kreider. All Rights Reserved
