Finding Calm
             Inspiration from What We Walk Towards by Kevin Brophy

by Julia Vaughan


Leads, chains, hats, flip-flops and sunnies
Poo-bags and lots and lots of training-treats
Are they lures or just plain bribery?
Plenty of sunscreen.

Two dogs exuberant and joyful, in their own wonderland
Dashing through the water’s edge
Pelting across the sand
Exploding away like released elastic bands
Seagulls escaping the excitement

Firm, hard sand underfoot. 
Striding boldly
Underground stream turns it soft and sludgy
Calf muscles ache, sand clings in-between toes
A slower walk.
Soon it’s firm, hard sand underfoot again.
Repeat the bold and striding walk.

Walk to “The Pole” and back
Embracing total bliss
Skies above pure blue, with very few clouds of fairy floss,
The sea ripples in sapphire, grey, azure, some topped with white caps,
Waves splooshing onto the sand, not a big swell, some little rips criss-cross.

Seagulls and magpies float in the air, zeppelins with wings and sharp eyes,
Gawking at the prancing dogs, hoping for a prize,
A missed treat, an easy dinner to gulp down. Very wise.
Life on the beach and on the ocean has no compromise.

Stepping over sea weed
Striding over the sand
Avoiding rocks
Watching the dogs
Watching my feet
Looking far away
Clearing mental blocks
Mindful, peaceful, calming and energising
Oblivious to any clocks
And yet also vaguely wondering, when is the next equinox?

High tides. Waters lapping the dunes. Low tides. Vast sandy beach expanse.
Up and down, like life’s rollercoaster
Near and far
A weird romance
The Black Dog chasing
But I’m choosing to walk towards joyful exuberance
Walking dogs on the beach


* * * * *

Julia Vaughan moved to Australia with her husband in 1989.  Having had 2 poems published, she dreams of more, and becoming an accomplished poet after attending inspiring U3A “I just don’t get poetry” classes, on the Victorian Surf Coast.  When not dreaming, she can be found gardening, and walking on the beach with her two Vizsla dogs.  (Woman in Red published by Otoliths 01Nov2021 and Words are Flowers published by Melbourne Culture Corner 01Nov2021)