L'absence. (Translation) . Poem by Michael Walker

He speaks of the woman he loves to others every day. It's her world although she has never been there. It is a wild West Coast beach out of Auckland, where he sees floating wood, polished rocks and shells, and more treasures which have never appeared in the 'lost and found' columns.
The local children and dogs defy the breakers, expressing anger, frustration, or merely themselves.
I like what Tony Chad observes of the West Coast beach, all the treasures which have never appeared in the 'lost and found' columns.
He sees children and dogs swimming in the breakers and the shrubs which are brilliant by their absence 'like you'.
This is a witty, understated love poem, with the loved one featuring only at the beginning and end. I spent many happy times on the West Coast beaches myself.
Tony Chad was until recently editor of 'Valley Micropress', Wellington. He was first to publish any poems of mine.