a break from the sanity– prudence
prudence
looking out over the waves i can see
the whispering clouds of my childhood
floating quietly away from the setting sun
like me, always searching for a new day away from
the factory skies of rhode island
and me, I’m silently watching as the waves hit the
shore
enjoying the freedom of prudence
kathleen searches for dollars and dimes
the shells seem to multiply on the beaches of
pebbles, rocks, driftwood and sand
yet it is crab legs, quoahogs, an occasional oyster
and clams
found upon the shores that surround prudence
we watch as the ferry leaves
becoming distant in the bay
the last one to the mainland
the gulls settle back down
laughing at the humans who stay
searching for shells upon prudence
the family home it still stands
cece pointed it out to us
she talks of the changes made
and how emily rescued the cat
marcy still tends the general store
yet the barrels she rolls are smaller
along the store-front at prudence
memories wash very well in the salt water
the breeze cleanses the soul of any pain
the sun bleaches the hair and darkens the skin
the waves provide serenity in the mist of the night
as the children fall asleep upon prudence
john bourne harbour
081598
