in August 2000, for my friend Anna(who had ovarian cancer).
She was hoping to be able to make one more trip to the beach.
Anna went home September 19, 2000.
In Memory of Anna
If you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole!
If you could see me now, you'd know I've seen his face.
If you could see me now, you'd know the pain is erased.
You wouldn't want me to ever leave this place,
If you could see me now."
Anna, come on and take my hand.
Let's go for a walk on the beach.
We will stroll past the now paved parking lot
that used to hold the Pavilion.
Close our eyes and hear the 4/4 beat of beach music
played by the Embers; smell the beer and salt......
created by the seaspray and the sweat of
dancing bodies, shuffling the shag on the wooden floor.
Moving on past the broadwalk, to sand that holds the
heat of the sun, taking off our sandals to feel
sun with each toe.
Looking out over the Atlantic to England, seeing
mullet riding the face of breaking waves.
Hearing the sound of gulls laughing and crying to be fed.
The first shock of seawater on warm feet, cold and a jumpback.
Coquina and molecrabs creating ripples in the pullback seafoam,
as they bury themselves after exposure.
The sandpiper just in front of us
running a race with each wave
busy with searching for what is important only to him.
We stop, both looking at the storm offshore,
gray all the way past the top of the ocean.
Dolphins between us and the storm jumping and leaping,
playing in their kingdom.
A rainbow, just there to our left,
the light dusty blue of the Atlantic Beach sky
that comes only in the late Carolina afternoon to our right.
Our feet slowly sinking into the beach as each wave leaves.
Pulling feet from the clinging sand, that wants us to stay,
moving forward to different views.
For me a quick prayer of thank you God, my soul at peace.
Anna, God loves you and so do I.