An introverted gamer teen desires family time,
to feel connection. And love.
She takes off her shoes and follows grandma through the sand,
carrying chairs and umbrellas close to water’s edge, smiling,
even though today is not a day for swimming.
She sits in a chair as sand blows into her every crease and crevice.
The sun is too bright and too hot, but the wind cools…
even as it annoys by throwing hair into eyes and sand into
her sandwich.
An artist, she draws the waves and her family as she waits,
wanting to get into the water, but unable to.
She watches her family members laugh and frolic in the sea.
Her skin burns. Pain.
Day one is done, her beach time is over.
Six more days, no gaming.
Nobody talks to her. Nobody to talk to.
She sits alone in the house, reading. Alone.
This is her memory of the beach.
Dawn Marie Paul Art & Books 