The place of so many dreams
Fantasies lived
Growing up
Finding love
The stars glisten against the ocean

Twilight sky arrives
Eagerly cascading a crimson painting alive
We walked the beach
Spoke intelligent 16 year-old talk
Stopped to kiss

The beach where I spent summers
15 of the last 17
Family anxious to see one another
To see each other
To lay out, to play games, to do nothing

The goals were simple
The July sun graced us
Few trips were ruined by rainfall
Even the thunderstorms were photo opportunities
Lightning scared and amazed

Since our final full family trip
Life for me, the remainders
Has been difficult and empty
Wildwood means memories that drive
To tears, to smiles, to memories

Wildwood symbolizes life for me now
Anxious trip awaits and still I dread
The old Ice Cream Parlor
The boardwalk, the beach, the memories
If only I could go back in time, too.

08/06/2006

Author's Note: *Archive

Posted on 05/19/2007
Copyright © 2025 Jeffrey Parren