The Beach

1981 She sat in her chair Laughing (With concern) I’d put 27 grapes in my mouth at once And got one stuck up my nose Again   1982 She sat in her chair Sleeping (Blissfully unaware) While I dug a hole All the way to China Again   1983 She sat in her chair Pondering (With me) When I sat beside her and asked Why the sand was full of plastic Again   1984 She...

“Will this be your first?” That was my first stupid question for them I’m not very good at this They were a beautiful young couple Watching another perfect Southern California sunset From the edge of a crumbling cliff Over the mirror of the sea Clearly expecting A green flash I’d just finished drinking 3 beers That’s not exactly the usual for me But I was with good friends that day And it sometimes goes that...

You never really know Who they bring along What ghosts are riding shotgun Talking, talking, talking All the way to the beach And drowning out the song   But everybody here Knows that ghosts can’t swim Cold water to them is searing heat And anyway They can’t even stand A bit of sand on their feet   The ghosts just stay in the cars Angry at the stars And their children down here below Made...

The ship has sailed And with it your life Your family Your lover Your faith Stolen away So you live like a pirate now Steering your terrestrial warship Your vessel made of sand Writing these lines on the tide With your angry little hand Stealing only what you need Like a seagull In need of everything And needing it today Stealing whatever you can Stealing one last glance At the bigger picture Before your world...

An Irishman once told me In all seriousness That God is a morning person And you have to get up early To connect with God Before God gets cranky Or busy Or whatever Now I don’t think God dislikes mornings God made them beautiful But God also made the moon And the stars And the color black And all of its different shades And afternoons Yes, afternoons are a good time too But today it...