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| THE STORY IN THE SAND |
| I wandered, solitary, on a balmy summer's eve Along a sandy beach secluded 'midst the grassy dunes. The fragrance of rugosa roses wafted in the breeze; The crashing break of briny waves crescendoed nature's tunes. Above a sky of azure, fluffy white clouds drifting by; The glide and swoop of dancing gulls to entertain my eye. And there before me, at my feet, the tale I'm here to tell... Two sets of footprints in the sand that caused my heart to swell. One set pressed heavy in the sand, the imprints deep and strong; The other pair much lighter, shorter feet, stride not as long. I strolled beside the path they formed not wanting to disturb The tale I saw unfolding there as told with silent word. I saw the steps weave back and forth, spread out, then join again, And now and then they'd face each other...toes were pointing in. A few steps farther, both were faced toward the open sea And I envisioned how his arms had held her tenderly. The steps moved on along the shore, the scent of roses strong, And there etched in the silken sand the story moved along. I saw where they had rested as they watched the ebbing tide; The big prints moved away and then meandered to her side. 'Twas then I saw the picture he had painted in the sand... The story came together through the magic of his hand. For there I saw the reason he had left her for awhile And as I gazed through brimming eyes I could not help but smile. I spied a fresh rose lying there secured by time-smoothed rock And framing both a perfect heart...a sort of lovers' clock. The symbols there for all to see of love eternally Were written in the tender story, there beside the sea. The rose, like fragile beauty, can so quickly fade away. The stone, like love enduring, was a promise of always. The sands of time within the lines, like seconds, minutes, days Though ever shifting, changing, moving...constant for always. One heart, two halves, completely joined...symbolic of true love. I felt a warmth pervade the air and found it hard to move For in that simple picture drawn for her with so much care I felt the tender loving, something sweet beyond compare. I stood there for a moment, said a prayer, then turned away And followed once again the path that they had walked today. I looked ahead and there I saw a scene I'll ne'er forget... That couple walking in the distance into the sunset. His shoulders stooped a little, but his stance was proud and strong. Her step sometimes unsteady as they slowly moved along. Their hands entwined. and now and then they'd stop a little while And as they faced each other I could see their love-filled smiles. I watched as they weaved back and forth, spread out then joined again, And now and then they'd face each other...toes were pointing in. I saw their lips meet tenderly, he gently squeezed her hand, And I knew then I'd ne'er forget the story in the sand. Copyright By Barbara A. Duits 2000 |
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