Seaside Village Adventures Poem by John A'Hern

Life for children at this seaside Village is wild and free
A band of misfits, boys and girls treated equally,
Their hill overlooked the village, adventures awaited
Running through grassland, over boulders, passing cottages.

Amazing sight, all their clothing colours blazing
Girl's dresses flowing as they ran to exciting places.
Onward across the Promenade where Villagers were walking,
People waving, all known to each other in this seaside village.

Onto the beachfront, the children run
Oldest like sheep dogs, keeping control.
Shoes in hands, bare feet no problems
Inlets to explore, including caves.

Attention now turns to the Coast Guards hut
Coast Guards telling stories, causing laughter to fill the air,
Time to say goodbye and head off home
Another day tomorrow, more adventures for sure.

Summer appears, habits change, swimming added to their games
Into the ocean without fear, with no lifeguard near.
Ocean water no problem to these self-taught aquanauts,
Swimming out and around the moored yachts.

Growing up can be quite a shame
they no longer join in the games,
Gang grows smaller as they grow older
leaving the village for pastures greener.

All now moved on, the silence quite disturbing
The wind now occupied the cliff-top dwellings.
A young man and woman at a friend's birthday
Glancing at each other, recognition happens.

They embrace, tears flowing as each remembers,
Make the decision to visit their childhood village.
Arriving at their village one fine summer's day
Walking to the cliff top where they lived and played.

Standing, looking out over their beloved village bay
Memories of times gone by now engulfing them
This couple added true love to their friendship,
Suddenly both became aware of voices approaching.

Beaming Smiles as an approaching group came into sight
The group ran toward them like times of old.
The group as one all joined hands
Forming a line facing the ocean, they were children once again.

A pact was made on the cliff top that day, regular visits,
The group dwindled each Year until none were left.
The cliff top remains, a lonely overgrown area waiting for visitors
Wind and weeds have taken control of this once loved place.