Seabirds scream overhead before diving into Pavilion Beach’s gentle waves. Tide pools reflect the sky. Surrounding sand is cold and muddy, squashing between my toes. A salty wind scrubs my skin raw.
The Ipswich beach is not crowded, but on one side, a sausage dog sniffs my feet and looks askance. On the other side, college students discuss over-drinking and under-studying, their laughter louder than the waves. Across the Sound, Plum Island’s sands gleam whiter than wishes. I daydream about solitude over there: just my family, the seabirds and the sunshine, sea winds blowing my cares away.
I look down at the ripples left by the tides. Overlaid are footprints of people who arrived, gazed at the same sights as me, and then departed. They left these traces of life behind: bare feet, shod feet, children’s feet, bird feet. I add my footprints to the chaos left by other beach lovers. I am part of a greater whole, separate, yet no different.
white boat bobs
sails furled, engine quiet
bird feet leave no trace
Copyright 2014 Brenda Davis Harsham
38 thoughts on “Plum Island Haibun”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
That was really wonderful Brenda, transported me there perfectly, and made me feel that sand between my toes!! 😀 I’m looking forward to the really warm weather so I can get to the beach myself, it’s not too cheerful in spring, that sea air is very sharp, and the ocean is part of the north sea – very cold, but perfect place to be on a hot day! I have an Ipswich near to where I live, but there’s no beach. There are quite a lot of Norfolk and Suffolk place names in the US – fascinating!
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Yes, I was trying to plan my jaunt, and I accidentally pulled up your Ipswich, and was briefly confused, but I sorted it out with a laugh. Boston is in Suffolk County. Hmm, I wonder where those names came from… 🙂 Thanks for dropping by! Brenda
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
“SHE BLOGGED WITH HER THUMB…..AND WROTE UP A PLUM…!”
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I love the beach!
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Me, too!
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How curious that the beaches are white across the water. I expect the cold and the water increased the need for an urgent toilet stop!
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I am accustomed to it by now. 🙂 One day I’ll have to go see if the Plum Island beaches are white up close. 🙂
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🙂
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So cool to recognize the importance of all the foot prints.
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Yes! I was trying to get away from them for the photo, and I couldn’t. Then it struck me that they were part of the picture. An important part… We humans leave our mark, wherever we go. 🙂
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Oh, I love this Brenda!! It is so dreamy and beautiful and poetic and wonderful!! 🙂 I could just frame this whole post and read it every day and feel happy!! 🙂 Lovely, lovely, lovely!! 🙂
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Aw, thank you!! You are a lovely friend! I did have a relaxing time at the beach, even though it was a bit short, due to the lack of bathrooms for my daughter. LOL Still it was precious daydreaming time. Have a great week!! Brenda
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Brenda, what a wonderful picture, I would never imagined the tide leaving the prints behind. So cool. Take care, Bill
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The beach is a beautiful and mysterious place! You have some fabulous beaches in FL. I always feel like the salt air improves my breathing. Do you find the same?
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i love this!!
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Thanks!
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Very nice, photo!
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Thanks! It was a peaceful 20 minutes before my daughter had to go to the bathroom, and that was it, rushing back to a restroom. LOL Life with kids.
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AAww. I can’t wait to be a mother one day.
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I was the same! And it was worth waiting for. 🙂 Hugs, Brenda
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Beautiful photo. Very atmospheric.
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Thanks!
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I adore Plum Island!!!!!!!!!
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I haven’t made the leap across but I want to! 🙂
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Do!!! It’s an amazing place!!!❤️
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One day soon! 🙂
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What an amazing peaceful place to be. Ty for sharing it.
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My pleasure. Thanks for commenting!
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ah – the beach returns )
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It was cold but beautiful!
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AnElephant loves beaches and loves this atmospheric depiction.
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I like your beaches, too. 🙂
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Yes, but you are always a sweetheart!
Hugs
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Aw, you, too! Hugs, Brenda
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Great job! I particularly liked, “gleamed whiter than wishes” 🙂
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🙂 My wishes are always a bit tawny! 🙂
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With your wonderful imagination I find that hard to believe. 🙂
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Cat-tawny surrounded by flower color! Seldom white. 🙂
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