Image: Byron Bay Lighthouse Laurie Smith
Jagged memories are what I have
My life a series of non-events.
Holidays spent on sublime coastlines
Beaches with beckoning vistas
Seductive moments when eyes met eyes
The possibility of the impossible.
When far from home
Anything seemed plausible.
The girl from the country
Who sat herself down beside me
Played coyly in the sand at my feet
Who hung on my words
Later we wrote letters back and forth
And then nothing.
Each holiday bought its own adventure
My heart won by the girl who stripped naked
Whose breasts called to me
And foolishly I answered
To be rebuffed, ridiculed,
Immaturity they said is such a curse.
Recollections fade over time
The fishing trips, the escape with mates
One Mile Beach in a caravan
Mates together, idle days
Two girls from the city
Like us seeking playtime
But out of my depth
My fumbling speech and action going nowhere.
To the girl who one night lay beside me
We engaged in conversation
Later to find she was disappointed
Nothing happened.
I repeated that many times I fear
On holidays now washed clean with time.
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/lighthouse-in-a-bottle-photo-prompt-41-december-30-2014/
Morpethroad 
The experiences and memories we hold, be we young or old, can leave lasting impressions. Recollections sometimes don’t fade as much we would like. 😊
Thanks Jenny often to more embarrassing never fade sadly.
😞
No wonder your memories are jagged — the “awkward years” are just so awkward!
Felt the embarrassment, (and perhaps the blush?).
Like the line: On holidays now washed clean with time.
Thanks phylor. I have actually been to Byron Bay, one of the beautiful places in Australia.
I imagine there are lots of nice places in Australia. It looks amazing on television.
Having read your comment to Jenny I can attest to the embarrassing memories hanging on tenaciously I have plenty of socially awkward moments to recount. Very vivid writing Michael I honestly felt I was right there.
Thank you Yves, what a thought you on an Australian beach.
I haven’t been on an Australian beach but I have many embarrassing beach memories oh so many lol
Well don’t we all.
Really liked your poem. This took me back to my late teen years, not traveling but awkward moments none the less. Thanks for taking me back to those memories. Susan
Thank you Susan, we all have those memories. Best wishes for 2015. Michael
What a touching post, Michael. Why is it we remember only the awkward, painful moments? I guess it is like the 10 compliments you hear in a week and only remember that ONE negative comment. Your post made me think back of so many faux pas and lack of confidence…thank you for sharing this, Michael.
Thanks so much Oliana, you right about what we remember. It’s just midnight now, 2015 has arrived.
Happy New Year, my Aussie friend:) xx
Beautifully written. To be honest, none of the sparks of love I felt ever amounted to anything. Which is one of the reasons why I find comfort in writing.
http://peppersfetch.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-life-fading-from-sight.html
Thanks for your comment. My apologies for the delay but I found your comment in my spam. Have corrected the error, well I hope I have.
Writing is a great comfort because it can take you places you might not consider going to in reality.
That’s a beautiful poem, although hard to read in remembering my own awkward points. Regret can be strong with wasted opportunities. But that’s what the future is for. 🙂 Happy New Year.
-David
Thanks David for your comment. Have a good new year.