Heart and Sand

Artwork by Gigi Gribble

I know a place

By the sea

So many precious memories

Sunrise and sunsets

Moon after twilight

Feet brush the sand

Zephyr touches

Sea breeze fills the air

I make my way to the pool

Wander over those rocks

Slip heavy sandshoes off

Low tide moss pickings

For plucky fishing folk

I plunge in

My body light

Surfacing, I look above

At all those looming trees

Daughter’s laughter traced through

A cormorant watches me

Wings outstretched

As if in greeting

Approval of our shared territory

I walk beyond

Over the rocks

Where my dad and brother and I

Said our goodbyes to mum

Her ashes touched the sea

Where mum took her swim

Where mum liked to paint

Where mum placed her soul

I see her float through the water

The shape forms a swimmer

Off the rocks she would go

Sometimes I wander back

And see dad

I fear when I will lose him

I wander into Mum’s studio

Her paintings smile on me

I hear her

“Addy, you enjoyed your swim today?”

A meow from behind me

It is Zoe the cat

She sniffs the air and senses

The beach on me

I go outside with dad

A cup of tea

We talk, reflect

Zoe’s distracted by kookaburra chortle

It’s time to go

My soul is filled

I hug my father

My brother arrives

He loves this place

And misses mum, too

We hug, say our goodbyes

“Catch you tomorrow!”

“Yeah, catch you!”

My car ambles down the street

I see the waves in the fading light

Make my way up the hill

My heart swiftly filling

Like the tide rolling in.