SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE

 

I was just a little girl when my toes sunk into the sand

Of the balmy, pretty beach deep in the Southland

I fell in love with the ocean blue, and the big open sky

The billowy clouds and thunderstorms that often blew on by

But it was all the seashells that really captured my heart

Scattered over the sand and beach, covering every part

Tumbling in the waves and buried deep in the sea

Ripe for the plucking, those seashells really called out to me

Seashells dumping onto shore with every incoming tide

Shells clinking and clacking in the waves, rolling on a surf ride

More seashells on one beach than I could ever want or hold

I was just a child then so they seemed to me like gold

Shapes of pure perfection, colors like the sand

Twisty shells, clam shells, oyster shells that all fit perfectly in my hand

When I held them to my ear I could hear the ocean’s call

Even long after I got home and winter did befall

As the snow and ice set in, I stare out the window and dream

Of that long ago visit to Florida, where the ocean waters gleam

Where seashells of every shape and size rest upon the shore

Where the ocean horizons and palm trees stretch on forever more

“I’ll return and visit someday,” I always said in my heart

“No matter how many years go by, we won’t forever be apart.”

And now, so many years later, I’m returning to Florida land

I’m returning to play in the waves, and search for shells in the sand

I’m sure I’ll have a wonderful time, really, how could I not?

In a place where seashells are everywhere, like a big treasure pot?

I’ll see you soon, Florida beach, get ready for when I arrive

Because I can’t wait for the sun and shells, to feel so much more alive

M.B. Henry

Digital Backup 202

As you might have guessed from this poem and post, I am headed off for a badly needed (and quite lengthy!) vacation to Florida next week to see my grandma and some other extended family. So the blog will be pretty quiet for awhile. I look forward to resuming posting and visiting all your amazing blogs when I return after Easter! You all be good until then! 🙂 

If you want to follow along on my Florida and road trip adventures – follow me on Instagram and Twitter, handle @mbhenry1985

Photos by M.B. Henry – for more photography from all over the world, click here! 

Looking for some spring reading? If you like WWII Historical Fiction and have an interest in D-Day, you might enjoy my debut novel which drops in a little over a month. Click here for more information! 

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Comments(51)

  1. I was JUST thinking about you! I cannot wait to read the book!!

    1. And have fun in Florida!

        • MBHenry

        • 4 years ago

        Awww yay!! I can’t wait for it to come out, my gosh I can’t believe it’s almost HERE!!!

      1. 🙌🙌

        • MBHenry

        • 4 years ago

        Oh I’m sure I will! 🙂

  2. Have a marvelous vacation and find lots of wonderful shells. Sea glass is lovely too.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Yes it is! 🙂 I’m sure I’ll have a marvelous time! 🙂

  3. Love the verse MB my favourite lines
    “More seashells on one beach than I could ever want or hold
    I was just a child then so they seemed to me like gold”

    Have a great family holiday and congats on book 🙂

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      So glad you enjoyed the poem – I can’t wait to see all those seashells again! 🙂 They might still seem like a pot of gold to this winter-weary adult 🙂

      1. Of course they will once those toes are digging into the sand in the sunshine 🙂 🙂

        • MBHenry

        • 4 years ago

        🙂 🙂 🙂

    • Shelly

    • 4 years ago

    What a beautiful, magical poem. It painted a very clear picture of those precious seashells. Have a wonderful time in Florida. You deserve the break!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      🙂 Thanks! Glad you liked it

  4. Appealing, evocative, nostalgic poem, MB! Enjoy your trip to Florida!

    (Your poem brought to mind Rosamunde Pilcher’s fabulous novel “The Shell Seekers.”)

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Thanks so much I’m very glad you enjoyed it! And I’m sure I will have a lovely time

  5. Have a great trip to Florida! I’m looking forward to reading your book!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Yay! I really hope you like it! And I’m thinking of you a lot and hope you are feeling a little better! <3

      1. Thanks, lovely 💕

  6. Have a great time on your holiday M.B. I’ll be thinking of you in that warm climate as we descend into an early winter !!! I am looking forward to getting you book to, something to read over the coming winter!!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      I hope very much that you enjoy the book when you get it! 🙂 And stay warm!

      1. 👍🏻🤓

  7. Such an evocative poem. May you experience the feelings once more

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      I hope the biggest feeling I feel is relaxation 🙂 It will be hard not to though. Hope you are well!

  8. Lovely poem, enjoy your time away!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      I surely will! 🙂 And I’m very glad you enjoyed it

  9. I love shells as much as you do, but few land on our Galveston beaches. I’ve never been to Florida, but I hear the shelling there is great, as it can be down south at Padre Island. I hope you find all the treasure you can hold — and more! Have fun!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Wish you had more in Galveston, but I promise you will find your fill if you ever visit Florida! 🙂 I can’t wait to visit those beaches again plus it will be so nice to see my grandma and family! 🙂

  10. Have a wonderful trip! I just got back from Florida where it was warm and sunny and wonderful. Here it is rainy and still kind of cold. Sigh. Summer is coming!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      I can only hope the weather here will be a little more cooperative when I get back! 🙂

  11. What a lovely poem, M.B. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Florida with much sun, warmth, and many seashells.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Thank you so much! <3 And I'm very glad you enjoyed the poem

      1. Your next project–a collection of poetry?! 🙂

        • MBHenry

        • 4 years ago

        I’ve often thought of doing that!

      2. I’m sure you can make it happen if you decide to.

        • MBHenry

        • 4 years ago

        🙂 I just might!

      3. 👍

    • Bob

    • 4 years ago

    I can smell the ocean air. Hope you find some seashells soon.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      🙂 I found a lot of good ones – and some shark teeth!

  12. Wishing you safe and happy travels.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Thanks very much – I had a great time!

  13. Beautiful poem, M.B. Have a great seaside vacation!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Thank you – it was very refreshing!

  14. Sweet poem. Enjoy your family visit.

  15. Have a wonderful vacation with family, sea shells on the beach, renew, refresh, we will be waiting for you…safe travels.
    P.S. Avoid the governor and his cohorts.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      It was a wonderful vacation!!! 🙂

  16. Your poem made me feel like I was on the beach, too, it was so evocative.

    I hope it was a wonderful vacation, and I hope you found lots of beautiful seashells.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      🙂 I’m so very glad you enjoyed it. I definitely enjoyed my vacation – it was sorely needed! And yes – I did find lots of very pretty seashells.

  17. The seashells are so much fun to collect. The ocean has that draw on us like nothing else! Maybe it is the moons pull! Hope your time in Florida was memorable!

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      It was lovely and I found lots of pretty sea shells, and even some shark teeth! 🙂

  18. I enjoyed the poem, thanks for sharing.

      • MBHenry

      • 4 years ago

      Thank you for reading – I’m very glad you enjoyed it!

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