Pantoum

Pantoums are a fairly unknown form of poetry. It is one of my favorites. Learn more about them


Here is a pantoum I wrote about the beach:

Waves are crashing, snatching, latching

on a sandy beach lapping at our ankles

so many vacations,

And tourists with cameras around their neck.

On a sandy beach lapping at our ankles

single mothers escape work

and tourists with cameras around their necks.

Lifeguards sit bored, making 30 dollars a day.

Single mothers escaping work

keeping a nervous eye on their splashing children

lifeguards sit bored, making 30 dollars a day.

They wear sunglasses and slowly scan the water.

Keeping a nervous eye on their children

and watching surfers who glaze the waves

they wear sunglasses and slowly scan the water

unafraid of anything from the sea.

And watching surfers who glaze the water

boat captains smoke and weigh the days catch

unafraid of anything from the sea

mooring their boats onto rickety sea docks.

Keeping a nervous eye on their splashing children

waves are crashing, snatching, lashing

lifeguards sit bored making 30 dollars a day.

so many vacations.

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We sit watching the birds fly from branches in trees

and gargoyles spit out the rain.

Magazines are ripped apart

and used as lining in nests.

Photographs and all.

And we will only stop when the wind starts to sing lonely love songs.