I long for the life that happened before
Buddies on the beach and maidens galore
Showing your skill on the ‘wave of the day’
Or falling in love but NOT TO STAY
When the seals used to bark from the rocks out there
And we’d dive ‘neath the kelp in the sea eel’s lair
Feeling our youth and the life surging through
Sensory joy from the water blue.
Football played on wet sand or dry
The chance of catching a fair maiden’s eye
Nick-named pals like Hevs and Crunch
And Neptune and Viking and the whole darn bunch
‘Shootin the bull’ with all the guys
Racy details and ribald lies
A kinship valued more than others
‘Water man’ were our brothers
The coursing foam in the path of the light
As the sunset colors precede the night.
‘Eastside’ beer and a city girl
Down for a sunny weekend whirl.
No ties, no promises, no obligations
To muddy up the invitations.
Lifeguard parties and B.Y.O.B.
Abalone and lobster fresh from the sea
White teeth framed in laughing faces,
Sun-bleached hair and tan line traces.
The gals in jeans and maybe skirts,
The guys, always, Hawaiian shirts.
Perry and Dean and Frankie Lane,
Ukulele beach songs that had no name.
‘Lovely Hula Hands’ and a languid dance
Vacation drama and weekend romance
They say it must end, this time in the sun,
And I suppose it occurs for everyone
To lounge in your rocker and lust for the past,
A time you just wanted to last and last.
Where the hell’s the reprise, I want to say,
As I rock and I wait for yesterday.
-Bill Sorrells
