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Because I invaded its turf
it gave me its best shot
a simple lesson I forgot
(never turn your back
on the surf)
Spinning
I leave a circular groove
in the sand with my two feet
but muss it up as I stagger from the blow
it reaches into my chest
yanks on these ribs
clears my head of thought
and confusions
it's soft but powerful
says not a word but
yells lucid messages
that I can't miss
as waves lap at my toes
WAKE UP! HEAR THE MUSIC!
I climb up to the boardwalk
the wood warm on my soles
the smells assault my nose
I wander to the amusements
time to see whats there
time to grab the ring
on this carousel
then leap to the platform
steal away
sounds pounded on my skull
rattled my cage
yet I felt but a feather touch
as it came round to me
HEY BUDDY TRY YOUR LUCK
TWO SHOTS FOR A QUARTER
but I don't believe in that stuff
horoscopes and palmistry
voodoo and saints
bobbing heads on the dashboard
only 1000 miles to Wall Drug
I imagine I see
"you have come 1000 miles from South Of the Border
Only 1100 more to Wall Drug" on the same billboard
50 miles
to Benny's Dinosaur Preserve
to Sam's Live Unicorn Farm
to Smilin' Jack's Casino
Home Of the million dollar jackpot
But all i hear is:
win this giant panda for your sweety
salt water taffy the original the best
cotton candy the biggest the softest the sweetest
unbelievable bargain 50 coupons for 20 dollars
I stumble down the steps clinging to the rail
a splinter lodges in my finger
a grey spike wedged between my skin cells
yank it out watch crimson drops fall to pallid sand
preserve the dune keep off no dogs no glass no sleeping overnight
you wanna sleep? sleep in the light- but don't forget your
$10
one day non-resident
Beach tag
$15 - $7.50 - $3
umbrella Lounge chair beach ball
get 'em here
or $5 sunscreen at the store back on the planks (reapply
after swimming)
banner tugged along behind plane
I heard one fell in last week
the coast guard pulled out the pilot
sharks jellyfish men-of-war
sandfleas sunburn saggy old men
traffic ptomaine too many tikes
soothing sea sounds caressingly cool
gliding gulls gathering grub as
bouncy bikinis beckon bystanders
each evening the sun sinks
by the bay with brilliant display
the road calls out a sound I try to ignore
all too soon it's time to go
join the river of tailights
flowing back to the city
go to Tom's home page
go to Death
Index of Poems