Nellie Riggs McQuillis is a Ligonier (PA) resident and a retired teacher of the Ligonier Valley School District.
I watch the snow pile high its drifts
like dunes of sand beside the sea
and then begin its outline of
each twig and limb of every tree.
The stalks of Little Blue-Stem bend
like sea oats in the ocean wind.
My black “sea gulls” come cawing in
to land on pilings at the garden gate
their wings swept back,
their feet outstretched
like trapeze artists
when the catcher lets go
seconds before they’ve landed on the
platform below.
Beyond my reach today that other shore
where golden days with family I had spent.
Far inland from the ocean’s thundering roar
these woods, these hills, these streams
have brought to me a deep content.
And, though I can not view the sea today
or walk its sandy shore,
I know the absence of a thing so loved
has made me love it more.
A Beach Remembered
Tags: ?memories, Beaches, Commentary, Latest post, Poem, Poems, Poetry, Reflections
BEANERY ONLINE LITERARY MAGAZINE
A BEACH REMEMBERED
Nellie Riggs McQuillis
Nellie Riggs McQuillis is a Ligonier (PA) resident and a retired teacher of the Ligonier Valley School District.
I watch the snow pile high its drifts
like dunes of sand beside the sea
and then begin its outline of
each twig and limb of every tree.
The stalks of Little Blue-Stem bend
like sea oats in the ocean wind.
My black “sea gulls” come cawing in
to land on pilings at the garden gate
their wings swept back,
their feet outstretched
like trapeze artists
when the catcher lets go
seconds before they’ve landed on the
platform below.
Beyond my reach today that other shore
where golden days with family I had spent.
Far inland from the ocean’s thundering roar
these woods, these hills, these streams
have brought to me a deep content.
And, though I can not view the sea today
or walk its sandy shore,
I know the absence of a thing so loved
has made me love it more.
(to view photos, click on:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beaneryonlineliterarymagazine/3378301808/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beaneryonlineliterarymagazine/3378302056/in/photostream/ )
Books of Mrs. McQuillis’ poems are available in the Ligonier Valley Library, Ligonier, PA.
ADDITIONAL READING:
RIDING THE RAILS: A True Story
IN SEARCH OF THE ARABELLA: A Story of Two Boats
Moose, Goose, Deer
PENNSYLVANIA WEDDING, (LAMOINE) MAINE ROOTS
THE PENOBSCOT NARROWS BRIDGE AND OBSERVATORY
THE SPECTACULAR PENOBSCOT RIVER A Natural Wonder in Maine: Part 1
AN OAK TREE MARKS THE PLACE
A Weekend in State College, PennsylMoving to the (Laurel Ridge) Mountainsvania: Part 1
LAUREL HIGHLANDS
Route 30: A Review of John Putch’s Movie
Kathy Kelly, of Voices of Wilderness: On PeaceKEEPING PEACE IN SOUTH AFRICA Part 1
QUINTESSENCE
The Old Rocker
SITE LINKS:
www.beanerywriters.wordpress.com/
www.carolyncholland.wordpress.com
www.barbarapurbaugh.com
www.pennwriters.com
ellenspain.com
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
http://www.methodists-care.org/