I've always loved long, bare-foot walks on the beach:
watching how the whole sky is transformed as the sun rises ...
and i've always been fascinated by trees, in their lovely shades of green
as the sun's rays filter through the leaves ...
and the branches sway happily in the breeze ...
I've always loved driving through the countryside:
no tall buildings to obscure my sight,
no loud horns to disturb the peace and quiet ...
and i've always been fascinated by quaint little white cottages
surrounded by a garden with lovely roses in full bloom ...
and the sounds of happy laughter as the children run and play ...
I've always loved to hear the distant sound of music
as the radio croons sentimental lines
that pull at the heart strings
and bring back nostalgic moments ...
And i would surely like it more
to have loved ones and friends near at hand -
or holding my hand, lending comfort in times of despair,
giving the old heart courage to strive on ...
I remember this love for the sea and long barefooted walks along the beach dates back to those 'turbulent' teenage years...
ReplyDeleteThis fascination for the deep blue sea and walking barefoot along the beach seems like a balm to the soul, even till today: i still go to the sea, take a long lonely walk along the golden sand - to heal my hurts and my wounds... to seal the leaks and the cracks of the heart...
For it is still the sea that i always see in my dreams: walking barefoot on the fine sand, basking in the warm morning sun... watching the sunlight throw a shimmering path of sparkling diamonds dansing on the surface of the water... feeling the warm waters lap past as the waves go racing against each other, throwing themselves on the beach... and my steps grow lighter with every wave, and my heart seems to sing with joy and flit lightly on happy wings...
Thus i had gone on my secret rendezvous every weekend and every chance i get... Later i used to 'smuggle' one little sister at a time (sworn to secrecy, never to tell but each time the seashells and the sand on our feet gave us away), to share my secret pleasure and the joy of picking seashells on the lonely Batu Buruk beach...
And when i went to SSSS, flanked by swaying coconut palms, built on the beach, i could see the sea in all its different shades of blue or gray, every day, and took the beach walk home every Thursday... and talk poetry with friends and classmates on the beach, under the trees...
Those were happy days indeed and when i resit for my HSC, i chose to do it in Mersing - and the exam centre was a school on the beach front! And i took my morning walk to the school every morning to sit for my literature papers, (in both languages!) Needless to say, i got my grades - feeling so relaxed and happy, like going for an outing, instead for an exam...
Recently, on one of my escapades, i discovered a secret little corner with only two blocks of houses - beach homes - and the name of the place is Taman Lautan Biru...!
And my old heart beat anew...
There's a wish in my heart,
ReplyDeleteas yet unfulfilled:
that someday i'll be able
to step out of my doorway -
straight onto the beach,
feel the sparkling sunshine,
touching my warm cheeks...
and the fine golden sand -
under my bare feet;
see the palm fronds -
calling out to the wind,
and hear the waves,
pounding out a love beat -
and a voice in the distant,
singing to every heart beat...