I visit a beach; a different one under the same sun as the one before. Immediately it dares me to describe, exposing a lack of vocabulary within my mind. I know I can never do it justice in word but I might try... I observe a tiny yorkshire terrier experience the tide for the first time I feel jealous so my imagination lets me inhabit the little creature for a moment... ...and my little body shakes in trepidation as my owner lifts me placing me within the ice cold wetness and now I've become the salt water wrapping myself around warm bodies lapping against the shore tasting the sand refracting the sunlight distracting people from their otherworldly chores. I watch a jack russell bravely protecting his mistress with nothing but his ego as she lays underneath the sun appearing from between rocks he barks at other dogs from a safe distance. Nearby, I see a child immersed completely in the moment just wonderful not wondering (where to next?) not thinking of next week not looking at a watch just watching all about her just wiggling her little toes perhaps sensing in a child like way she's been here before. Everything that matters in life is here I feel the loss of my father strongly I yearn for children I never had and yet in light of it all I'm basking in the sunlight all the more hearing sounds almost out of earshot drawing them in relishing the summer seaside symphony squawking seagulls toddlers overwhelmed by their senses children screaming out with joy parents watching and overseeing allowing themselves some fun along the way older folks quietly observing finding their wisdom within the moment appreciating dogs for being dogs. ...and then there's me emptying words upon the sand thinking one might do the work of many looking at my watch time to go in a bit... sea cave jelly fish conch and stone rusty old trawler bleached white bone sandcastle driftwood bucket and spade savour this moment lest it fade.
© Peter Smallwood
Review
Sid, I like your refreshing write; I see an adult immersing himself in the mind of a little dog or that of a small child, and then visualizing what he might do based on whatever his imagination might prompt him to pursue.
“I observe a tiny yorkshire terrier
experience the tide for the first time
I feel jealous
so my imagination lets me inhabit the little creature
for a moment…”
The above is a notion that appeals to me. Dogs, horses, cats—all have enough gray matter to think rudimentary thoughts. Dogs have dreams about chasing bunnies and sausages; even my cats dream. For certain, our domesticated animals seem to have the thinking capability of two-year old children, plus a superior instinct for survival (excepting my silly dogs, a dachshund and a min-pin, lol). Too often I sense those little wheels in their noggins spin at the sight of a hawk or coyote, which is quite a worrisome experience to me; they are too brave for their own good; nothing scares those two. Pardon my rambling, but I find your write quite stimulating.
Jerry Kemp