Dawn's Early Light (& reprise)

Beachside just before the rise

Quiet lest for waves tapping against shore as if to politely shake the city awake

Even the gulls respect the hour as they soar noiselessly over the sand and salty dissolve

Whispers of the beauty of the moment

Eyes bid farewell to fading stars as fire scorches the hind-side of the clouds:

Tiny and floating, gathering fluff, gearing up for their trek across the sky

Thin and dissipating, breathing a long last breath, yearning to see the light of a new day

Some will last while some...

Some fade to nothingness and blend with the brightening blue

Enormous and tall with mist as an aura and lightning flashing in the center like nature’s electric ornaments

Suspended just above the horizon with no thunder

For even they still silently honor the early await

The wind is perfect, barely brushing the skin as if its purpose is solely to lift the corners of mouths

Boats glide atop glass and shrink from sight under the weather

Lucky passengers in flight spend their time high above it all

What a view to gaze down at an upcoming sun

The Earthbound few eager but patiently amble over grains recently touched by ripples beginning to sparkle

Saunter hand in hand

Sitting, sniffing the breeze

The sleepy few whose eyes gradually peel

For they’ve used the beach as a bed

the sun as an alarm clock

and awake ready to remove

“Awake by dawn’s early light”

From the day’s to do list

Dawn’s Early Light (Reprise)

“… light ain’t far but, it ain’t close either”

“Either deck’ll do!”

Due to the residue of drunkenness still thick on spirit

Spirits spark conversations deep as the ocean we gaze upon

Upon feelings soon forgotten

Forgotten not, by our souls

Souls who made a wayward journey from dance floor to this moment

Moments worth every step

Steps stumble toward our chosen lifeguard deck

Decked out in club attire

Tired fingers clinched a cigarette on the beach

“Beach Bum, Beach Bum!

Bum us a square to share?”

“Share? Why, sure!”

“Sure, why not…?

Not usually a smoker but at this hour, who cares?”

Careful glances note everything within vision’s reach

Reaching behind to remind the best stories of youth

Youthful excitement grows but yawns come in hard

Hardly alert, a blink turn long

Longing for slumber an exhale blows me over

Overdosing on nightlife a thigh catches my head

My head feels fingers sprinkle affection over eyebrows

Eyes try to stay open, but it’s late

Late nights and early mornings are coming for the best of me

Me, hoping my will,

will remain stronger than my comfort

Comfort coaxes my eyelids downward

Down before the sun’s peek-a-boo above the cotton wall

Cotton-mouthed and confused, I awoke 19 minutes later

Later, we laughed about how I’d missed the best part of dawn.