Thanks, Caitlin Charlton, for taking all of us on a trip with your poem :)
A poem inspired by Caitlin Charlton's recent poem: "Travel in 100 words". If you haven't already read it, check the link.
God I miss the beach
God I need the beach
God I wanna go to the beach
*
I miss the feel of the wind on my face
I need the sadness of pretty shells cracking under my toes
I want the waves to wash away the bruises of my mind
*
I will not care if I see the sun
I just miss the taste of salt in the air
I will not care if it's foggy and cold
I just need to breath in-- where the ocean loves the shore
I will not care if there are people there
(Actually, I want to believe they're happy and free)
*
God I remember looking out on living blue horizons
(and aching in my soul)
(and being a Little Brother to all the Earth)
God I remember chasing scallop shells and mermaid scales
(and aching in my soul)
(and being a Big Brother to the burrowing crabs)
God I remember listening
--to the wind, to the shorebirds, to the waters--
(and thinking nothing at all)
(and I miss the silence)
*
***
***
***
Author's note:
I never feel more at peace than when I'm at the ocean.
If my heart or soul are in torment, going to the beach feels like looking at the face of God. It's so healing.
I don't fish, I don't try to get a tan, I don't play frisbee or swim or go out on a boat. All I need is to be there.
I live close to several fresh water beaches, but they don't have the same rumble, nor the same taste.
I miss the salt of the ocean, and I'm too far away to go there as often as I need.
So I'm left in a perpetual state of wanting to go to the beach.
This morning I read a poem from Caitlin Charlton which took me there, if only for a moment.
Reading that poem was a joy and a comfort, but now that I've finished: my perpetual yearning for the peace of the beach is even more acute.
That need is always there, but sometimes it recedes from my conscious mind, just like the tide.
Today it's upfront and crystal clear.
Wish I could drop everything and take a road trip to the beach and then...
... just stay there forever.
But I can't, so the best I can do is read and write about it.
If you want the beach the same way I want the beach, then I want you to read Caitlin's poem. It might help you feel like you're there for just a moment:
About the Creator
Sam Spinelli
Trying to make human art the best I can, never Ai!
Help me write better! Critical feedback is welcome :)
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Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions



Comments (5)
Your personality is coming through here. I like the talk you had with God. I like the vulnerability and the clarity in your words. Vulnerability and clarity compliments each other like no other. ‘I just need to breathe in-- where the ocean loves the shore’ sticking with the theme of love, that was a nice touch. The interrupting thoughts, or the alternative thoughts really adds depth and intrigue I had an image of you as a little boy while reading this, makes me want to be a little girl again. I would not change anything about this piece, especially your A/N it felt like reading a note from a friend. Plus, it compliments the poem really well and allowed us into your thought process when writing this. I had to travel nearly 3 hours to get to Swansea. The place in Travel in 100 Words. I absolutely loved this Sam, and I hope the stars would align and you could move closer to the beach that will satisfy that yearning. Outstanding piece 👏🏽👌🏽♥️🤗
I'm so sorry you can't go to the beach as often was you would like to. The beach sure is veryyyyy healing for the soul
Caitlin's poem took me there as well and I love your appreciation for it and the sea. I know exactly what you mean about freshwater. They just don't feel the same as the sea!
Keep pumping stuff out man!
Fantastic poem! Sounds like a great trip!