Academy of Public Service

The Beach
By Shaquandra Johnson
(c) 2007

I usually stand quietly
Because I am scared to be noticed

By the young curious crowd that stands
By the door

They watch in curiosity wondering
What I see

And I stay turned, with only the vision of my back
To their satisfaction
And I move closer to my prize.

I watch as the water
Flows deep into the sea
And slowly crawls back to shore
But with the drags of the waves
Pulling desperately

And my mind telling me to listen,
To the whispering splash that talks
Telling me of its story
I refuse to respond

I wish that it was okay
For me to do these things

But I would never be accepted
For joy I can't explain

And my friend would say let's go
And I'd want to stay longer
But I get up and go and silently walk

And then I start to ponder
That if maybe I could be

That water in the sea
My mind would never have to watch for the ones
Who stare at my back, curious about me

And I wouldn't have to wait till my friend pulls away
And am forced to follow her.