Summer's here. It's time to put out the deckchairs
with colourful canvas stripes, retro or modern,
on tourist beaches in regimental lines, under sunshades.
Others are carried with all the beach essentials
put down randomly, some sheltered by windbreaks.
Sunscreen ready, for lazy days soaking up the sun
people admire the scenery through rose tinted sunglasses.
While some are dozing peacefully undisturbed
others are catching up on intended reading,
holiday novels or weighty masterpieces.
When the westerly wind whistles relentlessly
people shelter behind windbreaks,
fortifying themselves with beach towels and rugs
drinking lukewarm tea from thermos flasks
while wearing fleeces to keep out fresh sea air.
Meanwhile, children relish summer holiday freedom
playing happily on the beach with buckets and spades,
building sandcastles, constructing fragile fortifications.
Some are helped by adults, hoping to stem the incoming tide
Prevention, powerless against the forces of nature.
Children run barefoot, sand between their toes
Throwing colourful beach balls or frisbees
chasing each other, being quick to catch them.
Running speedily, splashing in the shallows.
wading through the waves, sometimes swimming.
Gathering together, hungry, time for a picnic.
eating snacks and sandwiches, true to their name.
They guard them fiercely from ferocious seagulls
who circle and dive, hungrily hoping for forbidden food.
Enjoying a feeding frenzy, then leaving, feeling satiated.
Liz Gregson
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