The Wall – On The Beach Poem by Angelina Pandian

First we sat on the wall
Watching the people walk by
The young and old alike
Who had come to the beach
Some had come for the exercise
Some had come for a change
Some had come for old times sake and
Some had come just to be with the breeze.
There were those who had come
To make livelihood hawking their goods
I had come with friends from afar
Showing off with pride the beach
A place I’d frequented before
Both in joy and in pain
A place, special in my memories
And frequent in my dreams.
They too had come, a curious pair,
Trying to understand our people
Our culture, our mind – It was a tour
A little break away from work
The breeze was strong but cool by the wall
Then we started walking in
Towards the beach, the waves
The sand was soft and fine
It felt like walking on silken sheets
There was a light and shadow play
Curtsy of the Moon that night
Lovers huddled together
Gathering grapes of pleasure
Husbands and wives sit together
Watching their children play at leisure
Boys and girls chasing playing
Beach ball, frizbee and other games.
The breeze now hits our face
It is chill and wet and fresh
The sound of waves and breeze
A duet to our ears – We stood
We paused before the vast and inviting Sea
We close our eyes and draw our breath
Then plunged into the arms of waves
Foaming and frothing they come
Leaping like horses in gallop
Their force dying down before the shore
A gossamer veil, a skirt of lace
Like a lady they draw back
Into the vast sea once again.
The Sea inspires us to join in her fun
Reminding us of childhood days
We laugh and play – But, still
The touch of the breeze on the face
The feel of the sand between the toes
The water running up groping at us
All sets a mood, a dream for monsoon nights.