SUMMER SEASON
Skegness was bracing on the day of my return,
summer had been a misfortune of time and place
but needs must, a living to be made. The dancer
was waiting on the esplanade her nose running,
hunched against the cold hard rails where the sea
humped the shingle, scraping a purpose. We walked
to the Kardomah cafe, the door an echo in its frame -
silently drank tea, watched the bleaching of the sky,
eyes meeting over the menu, beseeching. There was
no future together but I felt the pull; we wandered back
to her flat, took up the season's story, drank our fill of life's
leftovers, dreamed of fulfillment on the east coast, just
the shadow of a lingering lost cause.
raypool
Sun 17th Jun 2018 18:02
Hi David. Yes, I like the low key aura, but at a younger age my toes were often dipped in the waters of fantasy on a very grubby level. The difference between this and Get Carter is that I never got even. Thanks for that. The sea may hump all it likes.
Tony, I agree about that comparison, with Olivier as Archie Rice, wonderfully seedy, so typical too of the ones time forgets in that sad sound of surf on shingle. Never visited Seaton Carew, it sounds rather interesting! Funny that Osborne was in Get Carter, good casting.
Ironically Col, I wanted to write a pamphlet with a music theme. I got a good few together and then thought: who is going to want this personal stuff? Help. There is quite a desolate start here for a short story. Glad you thought that. All downhill from now on!
Thanks Rachel, With that line I was thinking of those empty echoing cafes that reflect the seascape. Glad you like it.
Funny Hazel, I had an assignation in Blackpool too - ships that pass etc. The only way to counter the depression induced by the place. Thanks for the compliment.
Suki, you intrigue me. I've not read any Camus. I will rush to a charity shop and have a look. I'm reading Zola at the moment ! I hope Tangiers is never twinned with Skegness, the shock might wake it up.
Thanks for reading and liking, Anya.
Love to all you lovelies.