Vacations

by Heather Ohern

I sit here on the beach

And watch the waves roll in.

The clouds silently scoot across the sky

As the sea gulls use them in a game of hide-and-seek.

A radio plays my favorite song,

While a group of children on down the beach

Cover themselves in sand.

The sun climbs to its high point in the sky,

And I feel the first tingle of sunburn.

Suddenly I remember—

A world of ringing telephones,

Bellowing teachers and taking exams,

Rushing and hurrying everywhere.

A world of heavy coats

And mufflers,

Sniffles and ice.

I shake my head a little

And shudder to myself trying to forget

What seems like a nightmare.

As the sun heads downward,

I walk along the water letting

The waves tickle my toes,

Content to remain

Here in reality.

Photo by Rex Strother

Illustrated by Lisa Standing