A Lifeguard's Journal

A Lifeguard's Journal

It was warm, the sun holding my hand
Like a small child. Laughter spilled over
Like red cherry wine, staining the many faces
With smiles. The children danced in the water, splashing,
Their heads like buoys dipping in and out of boat wake.
I watched as they tried to run in the water; their twig legs
Could not tread. Mother and Grandmother sat on the beach
Under the blue and white striped umbrella, chattering
Busier than the gulls fed from the fishermen's dock.
The familiar 2 o'clock breeze arrived, blowing sand,
Clawing at the umbrella and the infant's playpen
A salty whisper, "Wake up, it's time to go."
Mother called the children from the water and Grandmother
Bent like an old aluminum can, hobbled to the parking lot,
Her walker sinking in the sand. Mother dragged sandy children
And two rusted beach chairs after Grandmother,
Dropping a flip-flop and a red toy shovel along the way.

poem by Colleen F. Halley
published in Garland 1990

spring 1990