Windflüchter - Windtrees

Windflüchter - Windtrees 60 x 50 cm - acryl on linen canvas

ONE DAY BY THE SEASIDE

Moving through dry brown grass,

through sea oats, down to the sand,

into the cold surf, ankles, knees,

chest, shoulders, and then we swam out

to a jetty upon which white-clad models

or investment bankers were drinking a 

pale golden beverage out of slender glasses. They could

have been shooting a commercial for luxurious fabrics

or a sparkling wine from the hills outside Verona.

Treading water, we heard some of their conversation,

relieved to discover that despite their elegance

and apparent wealth these lovely, subtly tanned people

were either witless sycophants or sex addicts. It was getting cold,

so we stroked back to the boardwalk where some artistes were

plying their trade. A little juggling, some Simon and Garfunkel on a

blind dude’s accordion. Crusty sea critters & fries from a stand nearby.

Later that evening we allowed ourselves to be swallowed up

by a large party near the bon fires. The light danced off

people’s reddish faces. Do you remember what you said as the

embers cooled? Must have been six, seven in the morning,

the sky bruised and abraded in tattered pinks and clotted charcoal

like back stage at the ballet, colors but no dancers as if painted by Degas.

I knew then that nothing we’d seen and done had made you want

to change your life. I think that’s what you said. You almost cried.

Then laughed. Maybe next year we should try somewhere else?