Retracing old roads in Newport,
I found the forgotten playground.
Still there was the circular cut plywood:
The manual merry-go-round.
Each of my Boxers loved the ride,
Eagerly awaiting to ride it again…
Now fifteen years later, I sat alone.
Pushing my foot for one last spin.
The ocean last night was angry.
Sound like blanket bombing in a war…
King tides bashed against the sea walls,
Sucking the sands away from the shore.
The buoys and bells were nonstop,
Warning boats with both motors or sails,
Get home now or stay at sea,
Incoming 75 miles per hour gales.
The waves are higher than the bluffs,
Breaking across Coast Highway 1.
I placed an X on my calendar,
Winter here’s officially begun.
I hunkered down in my 5th Wheel,
Determined to ride out the storm.
Ten years ago I lived here,
Yet this was never the norm.
