Beach Magic . . . a #TankaTuesday poem

7/11/2023

Hello blog friends,

It's Tanka Tuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has another prompt for us. Her friend and photographer, Terri Webster Schrandt, provided a photo for the prompt and explained, "This photo is a filtered version of a lifeguard station and red patrol vehicle at Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA."

Colleen asks that participants use the photo as inspiration but concentrate on imagery.

My poem is a tanka. Having run along the San Diego beaches as a child, I loved creating this poem. It brought back lots of memories and all the associated sensations. I hope you enjoy it.

If you have a favorite beach, could you share? Mine is probably the beautiful coastline of Carlsbad, CA, but quite honestly, I've loved every beach I've visited. ❤️

Have a wonderful week, dear friends.

46 Comments

Selma Martin link

7/12/2023 02:56:41

Magical, dear Gwen. You took me to your favorite beach. and it became my fave instantly. Gorgeous. Pulses with magic indeed. xoxo

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 06:00:30

Thank you for your kind words, dear Selma. I'm so pleased you liked the poem. 😊

willowdot21 link

7/12/2023 05:15:37

Oh! Selma this beautiful Tanka gently takes me to many beaches I have visited in my life. I love the way you have treaded in the prompt words.
One of the most beautiful beaches I know is Sennen Cove in Cornwall

https://images.app.goo.gl/GeZgnvSLJwD1ejmJ9

Have a good day.

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 06:03:47

Thank you, Willow, for your sweet comment. I read your second comment as well - and smiled. Very kind of you. 😊

willowdot21 link

7/12/2023 05:18:53

Gwen I am so sorry I somehow put Selma instead of Gwen sorry that comes of being stressed and rushed. Hugs 🤗💜💜💜

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 06:04:26

We are all much too stressed. ❤️ Thank you again, Willow.

Vera Day link

7/12/2023 05:33:08

"pounding waves drown our worries" is such a cool line. Great poem, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 06:05:34

Thank you, Vera. I'm so pleased you liked the poem. I'm hoping to visit "my" beach next month. 😊

Annette Rochelle Aben link

7/12/2023 05:36:19

Magical words

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 06:05:56

Thank you, Annette. 🤗

JILL WEATHERHOLT link

7/12/2023 06:06:20

Beautiful poem, Gwen. The ocean is my happy place. I love them all! xo

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 08:59:24

It's my happy place as well, Jill. Thank you. For me, sunblock makes the walk a perfect one. ❤️

Joan Hall link

7/12/2023 06:15:05

Now that poem invokes lovely images and comforting thoughts. Well done, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 08:59:58

Thanks so much, Joan. I'm elated you enjoyed it. 😊

Liz Gauffreau link

7/12/2023 06:28:58

Your tanka instantly transported me to my two favorite beaches: Haven's Beach in Matthews, Virginia and Hannaford Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 09:01:10

Thank you for sharing your favorites, Liz. I've not been to either, but they must be beautiful. ❤️

Pat Garcia link

7/12/2023 08:04:58

Hi,
I can tell this poem comes from your heart. There is freedom in it.
Shalom shalom

Colleen Chesebro link

7/12/2023 08:15:23

Gwen, I'm not a beach person, but your tanka and the accompanying image really made it sound wonderful! Great imagery! Thank you!! 💚

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 09:02:54

Thank you, Colleen. I grew up in the desert but have always loved the ocean. Your prompt resurrected a multitude of fond memories. 😊

John Howell link

7/12/2023 11:10:42

A terrific poem, Gwen. Like you, I love all beaches. I think my favorite was on the island of Kawaii. Of course, California beaches are hard to beat.

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 12:01:08

I've only visited Maui and Oahu and loved them both. Gosh, I'd love visit them again. Thank you, John, for resurrecting the memories. 😊

Luanne link

7/12/2023 11:19:00

The beach sure does pulse with magic!!! I wish I was getting some of that magic right now.

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 12:01:47

Me too, Luanne. I long for such magic. ❤️

Karen Ingalls

7/12/2023 13:00:01

Growing up in San Diego, the beach does "pulse with magic." I love this poem. It stirred up many happy memories of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay, and warm sand. Thank you, Gwen

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 13:15:12

San Diego is a lovely area and growing up there had to be magical. Thank you, Karen, for your sweet share. ❤️

Yvette M Calleiro link

7/12/2023 14:14:17

I love it, Gwen! The beach truly is magical for me.

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

7/13/2023 05:21:27

Thank you, Yvette. I'm so glad you liked it. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

7/12/2023 14:49:15

Beautiful poem, Gwen. It brings to my mind great times spent on the beach at Makapu’u Point on Oahu.

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 15:58:07

It sounds lovely, Tim. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you liked the poem. 😊

Ange

7/12/2023 15:37:00

Beautiful Gwen, especially the last line 💞

Gwen M. Plano

7/12/2023 15:58:50

Thanks so much, Ange. I'm so happy to hear that. 🌞

D.L. Finn

7/13/2023 09:16:37

There is something magical about beaches :) I immediately relaxed reading this, Gwen. Xo

Gwen M. Plano

7/13/2023 14:28:59

So pleased you liked it, Denise. Thank you. 🤗

Jade Li link

7/14/2023 11:27:26

Gwen, you've spoken its magic here. You have fallen under the enchantment of the beach. My favorites are along Lake Michigan. Have lived along its shores all my life.

Gwen M. Plano

7/14/2023 12:17:09

How wonderful to live by Lake Michigan, Jade! Thank you for your kind words. ❤️

Jade Li link

7/17/2023 12:09:27

You're very welcome, Gwen <3

D. Wallace Peach link

7/15/2023 08:21:47

What a beautiful poem, Gwen. It brought back memories of beach time and that wonderful connection we seem to have with the sea. My favorite beach was probably one from my childhood in Long Beach, NJ. I haven't been there in almost 60 years. We played in the sand and waves all day. Thanks for the memories.

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2023 11:10:50

Wow, I've not thought of that area for a while. I've not had the opportunity to enjoy Long Beach, but when the kids were young, we rented a place on Ocean Beach. The area was magical. Thank you for sharing, Diana, and thank you for the kind words. 🤗

HJ link

7/18/2023 06:56:41

I love your use of rhythm and sound here; it draws me into your magical beach for rest. Well done, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

7/19/2023 19:41:32

So kind of you to say, HJ. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Thank you. 😊

Marje link

7/18/2023 07:44:32

I agree the beach pulses with magic! Favourite beaches at the moment- Portuguese Algarve.

Gwen M. Plano

7/19/2023 19:42:17

Thanks so much, Marje. I've never been to Portugal, but I'm hoping to visit soon. ❤️

ben Alexander link

7/18/2023 10:56:03

Wow, this is lovely, Gwen! I don't even love going to the beach so much... and you've made it seem appealing to me!

Much love,
David

Gwen M. Plano

7/19/2023 19:42:56

How kind of you to say, David. Thank you! 😊

Melissa Lemay link

7/18/2023 21:45:16

Makes me imagine falling asleep on the beach.🌊😴

Gwen M. Plano

7/19/2023 19:43:48

Oh my, that sounds so lovely, Melissa. Thank you for the inspiration. 😊

Beach Magic . . . a #TankaTuesday poem

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