Here's a view from my doorstep. Wedding cake houses. Gulls drifting by.
I was just on the beach, strangely comforted by rain closing in, by the sky coming closer to earth. It began just as soon as I stepped onto stones, spotted only my hands and sleeves. Seemed to blow past the rest of me.
No dog walkers, no swimmers, no fishermen, no yachts, no gulls. Only a strange wrecked buoy with obscene graffiti in neat script. And distant in the gloom, lifeguards setting up their pitch. And I'm wondering if they have to sit out the weather when everyone else heads home fast. If they will dig in and continue gazing for a hint of the slightest something in the waves, fighting boredom and sleep and a chill that challenges their red and yellow storm suits.
I couldn't be in a better place for skywatching. The best skies for poetry seem to be more like this. Enough sky drama to keep you sitting out into dusk, and sometimes rare low tide sand to stroll before it's gone under again too soon.
And then, the hard slog home. Screes of stones and 89 stone steps.
20 comments:
Hello Annie:
Sky watching is definitely the activity we most miss when away from Brighton. So many variations in colour and form that one can never tire of them.
Hi Jane and Lance. Yes, this is a great spot for that! Big skies. Luckily, I don't have a sea view, otherwise I'd never get a thing done!
Brighton is a indeed a wonderful place for sky poetry! The sky here jolted me to life and inspired some new poetry after a very long hiatus!
Hi Annie
Great phrases again!
Question about photo 2 - is there a rainspot on the lens? I wonder if you could take some shots with water drops on the lens: could be quite effective changing focus areas when the picture is taken. Just a thought!
ah the sacrifice for such beauty - 89 steps up - it is the way xo
Hi Alison. That's great to hear. Here's to lots more skywatching - maybe when the rain stops!
Hi Gordon. Thanks. That's rain and a gale blustering at the lens just before I got blown home! That effect is accidental but I liked it!! That's a great idea, but I think I'd need a different camera for that kind of shot.
Hi Jeane. I know!! I do okay until step 82. It does me in every time. There is a lift a bit further down the road. Open only at strange times, like when I'm not there.
annie anything tumultuous or changing or moving so slowly that a change is a huge moment all on its own. i love the seaside memories i carry. your writing here opens out the piece as an adult. something that i haven't experienced at an english seaside. perhaps if i ride the way of the roses in a few years. hmmm. steven
Great shot of your wedding cake home front with the birds a flyin' and all those rocks! Big pause and make a poem at 82...it's the pause that refreshes.
I don't see huge vistas like this in NYC. So thanks for taking me away to such a beautiful place.
Hi Steven. Thanks. The skies have really been something else this week as this part of England remembers what rain is - just in time for midsummer and Wimbledon! I think the seaside holds so many memories for so many people. I love your expression - the way of the roses. Maybe you will come to visit....or another beach place.
Hi Maggie. Thanks. The houses are fascinating. Reminiscent of old hotels. (I only have a flat here, not the whole place!!) My childhood beach has miles of sand, so It's taken a while for me to come to love the rocks! Yes, I like your tip - I'll try pausing longer on step 82.
Hi Seth. I know from living in London how great this kind of vista can feel. You're very welcome. I'm pleased you joined me for a little while.
Lovely loop around - I feel like I took the walk with you Annie :) and some lovely pictures to boot !!
Hi Steve. Thanks. Great that you came along. What I always hope for.
"A roar that is reluctant to leave the shore" is one line of many that take me to your shoreline...beautiful and strong!
Hi Mary Ann. Thanks. Pleased you liked that line from the other post. The sea has certainly been showing her strength this week!
Hi Annie, You write in a way that makes me feel I'm there with you, experiencing this landscape, too.
Hi Barb. Well, I always hope that a reader comes along with me, so that's great to hear. Thank you.
Great post - thanks for sharing your journey & view
Hi Stacey. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I just left the beach in the dark tonight. Very gorgeous. I'm pleased you came on a little trip here as well.
I'm here via Seth's Tech & Tools project, and glad I am. Your word and photo journey are well done and worthy on notice! Not just the sky either! Did you just count the stone steps, or have you recounted them from previous journeys?
Hello MrCachet. Thanks so much for dropping by and for taking the time to leave a comment. I'm pleased you enjoyed your stroll around my home patch! I have counted the steps, although the last time was after a long day down at the beach. Coming home with swimming stuff and cushions, books and picnic gear felt like it took forever, so I'm sure there were 127 that time.
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