One by one

they file to the beach

with a wagon of supplies

they will need for fun and sun

 

the car empties out

and the people carry

umbrellas, tents,

beach balls, the ice chest and

all the paraphernalia they will need

for their day at the beach

 

they form a line

and one after another

leave the parking lot

the dad in the lead

followed by the kids and the dog

followed by mom

making sure they have everything

 

once on the beach

they will pitch their canopy

as well as all the woes of city life

all blown away for the day

 

it is a summer in July

the beach is hot

but the water nice and cool

and people seek to shed the old

the job, school, the same old routine

 

on the beach they find

a form of temporary freedom

as free as they will ever be

without worry

without stress

cares float away like driftwood

 

soon their they will shed their skins as well

having forgot to bring the sunscreen

and days later 

their sun-burned skin will be their souvenirs

each fleck reminding them of total happiness

as they peeled away their daily drudgery

and found a taste of freedom

 

a snapshot and a lasting memory of

their summer day at the beach.