White Beaches

White Beaches
By Jan Lyons

I wake with the sunrise to seek the solitude that can only be found in the early morning hours of such a bustling place

The silence that now exists will soon be shattered by countless voices filled with laughter and conversations as this beach fills with people

I chose my lounge chair carefully, the perfect spot on the beach, the perfect view of the breakers, as far away from the crowds as possible

I place my towel on the chair and the strong smell of bleach rises up, tingling the inside of my nose

I take a few seconds to breathe deeply the humid, salty ocean air so familiar to my senses

As I lie down, I bask in the warmth of the sun, my outstretched limbs gathering every ray of sun that they possibly can

With eyes closed, I listen with new ears to the sound of the waves crashing against the harsh rock that borders the shoreline

Not for the first time, I wonder how such a soothing sound can be created by such a powerful force

I open my eyes briefly and catch sparkles of light through the leaves of the palm trees that hang above me

The dull yellow mixed with vibrant greens are made even more so by their movement as they flutter and are pushed around by the perpetual winds

I close my eyes again and listen to their unmistakable rustling noise as they sway with the breeze, my breathing slows as peace and stillness washes through me

I feel the warmth of the powder white sands rise up to meet my fingertips as I wave them to and fro with the rhythm of the waves

The wind catches the surf and brings with it a spray of the salty sea to rest on my skin

It cools me briefly and evaporates in the heat just as quickly as it landed

I watch the sunlight dance and sparkle like diamonds off the ocean water as far as my eye can see

I hear the distinctive call of seabirds as I look up just in time to see their silhouettes against the brilliance of the sun

I don’t want to break the spell that it casts over my thoughts as I continue to gaze out at the horizon

I wish fervently, like a child wishing on a star that the feeling of being in this place will never go a
way, that it will last forever

But as an adult, I know the only way it will continue is in my memory

There is a saying, “We all go back to where we belong”

And I know with all my heart and soul, this is where I belong