Seaside, through a Rain Cloud's Eye

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

More much-needed rain forecast across the UK today so stay safe , folks, as lock-down restrictions start to lift here in the UK and the rest of Europe even as new waves of the Covid-19 coronavirus breaking out in Beijing and elsewhere across the world..

in the course of deciding what poems to use in a new collection, I came across this one, first posted here in 2017 

I once asked a group of close friends what they love most about the seaside. One answer in particular summed up all the others. "It makes me feel alive, in all weathers..." my friend said to cheers and applause from the rest of us; it was ''in all weathers' that clinched it.

Sadly, my 70's have inflicted mobility problems on me now, but I have fond seaside memories - of Brighton in particular - and have but to close my eyes to revisit them (yes, in all weathers) for any sense of growing old and associated health problems to drop away and, yes, I take on a new lease of life that, one that will see me through thick and thin for as long as my memory continues to feed on happy times. That goes for most if not all of us, of course, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity or religion, thus uniting a common humanity in a fractured world if only by way of mind-body-spirit.

"Corny, corny!" I fancy I can hear readers cry. Corny, yes, perhaps, but, oh, so, true...

Here's wishing you all your fair share of happy days as you journey through life, and never underestimate the simplest pleasures as a day by the sea come rain or come shine, especially when shared with close family and/ or friends.

If interested, the video attached to my poem 'Front Seat' (no longer on the blog) shows your s truly enjoying a solo stroll along Brighton Beach while best friend Graham manages the camera. I read two poems over the video:, of which 'Ancestral Voices' can still be found on the blog.

For my other poetry videos,  all shot by Graham: https://www.youtube.com/user/rogerNtaber/videos 

SEASIDE, THROUGH A RAIN CLOUD'S EYE

I spy breakers crashing on the shore,
seagulls circling above,
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
and a woman walking her dog

I spy an ice-cream van doing no trade,
heads busy dodging umbrellas,
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
and a beggar being moved on

I spy a windsurfer gathering speed,
seagulls cheering him on,
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
and lovers pausing for a kiss

I spy plastic shopping bags burst open,
their owners getting in a state,
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
and men at a Bookies in tears

I spy cinemagoers pouring into a street,
frantically reaching for phones,
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
and the lovers having a quarrel

I spy the woman's dog, not on a leash
believing it can catch a cat,
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
and the windsurfer taking a tumble

Now, filtering a watery sunlight through
heavens all shades of grey;
faces at windows of a nearby hotel
showing signs of coming alive

Copyright R. N. Taber 2010
[Brighton, East Sussex]