Delmarva Poem by Thomas McKelvey

Rows of blue-green faceted waves rush, rising and falling, like desperate words, tumbling and crashing into one another, seeking expression. They build and crash, onto a subtle, sandy granular shore, stained temporarily black, then foamy white as they recede, bubbling and leaping like fountains, sending a salty, exciting spray, that I take deeply into my chest. Renewing themselves, they consolidate and throw themselves towards me again, a cacophony of rumbles and glassy shushes filling my ears, stumbling over themselves with curls and flourishes of windswept, white-capped peaks. My toes curl, grasping then releasing little wet clumps onto the sand. I am surrounded by the cries of gulls, hanging in the air, suspended in place by the insistent winds, which push into me like cool nudges of familiarity. I am embraced by the buttery softness of the sun, a warmth on my face and shoulders, inducing a smile that I can't contain. I gaze like a contented cat, watching intently as you stretch and splash, advancing knee-deep into the fray. I am forever enthralled in this moment with you. My heart is building like the waves as I see you looking back at me. Your laughter, glittering like gold dust amongst the ore of rich soundscape, will remain like a treasure in my mind, long after this day has passed, like a prized possession.
I am not that youthful boy anymore, finding what love means with you. But my passion has built again, just seeing you in my memory. My words now tumbling, desperately, like the waves. I feel the salty sting, tears of regret and ardent nostalgia, on my cheeks, leaving my vision blurry. A windy breath, an exhaled sigh of recognition, that leaves me longing for your touch. Only now do I understand the true value of those days, the moments we shared. We are not who we were then, and we may never see each other again, but your glittering laughter still makes me smile.