Sea Changes
Things are not they what use to be,
It seems times are changing for the worse,
Lamented the blonde who looked too young
To be toiling 40 years at the family pharmacy
That would be closing in just a few days.
Sometimes they change for the worse,
And other times they change for the better,
Offered the sad customer who has seen many changes
In over 60 years of living in old and new neighborhoods,
To the very small comfort of the worker losing her job.
The home of original music closed its doors
But hope remained the new owner would reopen it
A better place with more music, drinks, and food.
But little more than a year later it was bulldozed to the ground,
Keeping everyone guessing what will be there next.
Maybe it will meet the same fate as the cool cafe
That was frequented at night by kids both young and old
Who downed their Dutch coffee and grilled cheese sandwiches.
So much in fact they tired the owner right out of business,
Giving way to plans for more new homes and businesses.
I see many of the changes in our neighborhood.
I sense the loss people feel around our world.
Why oh why fear change while also wanting things better?
The sea to our east changes every day after all,
But to it we always flock to relax and recharge.
Meeting Up at the Jersey Shore
I first saw you when the packed train left the station.
I watched you with your friends during the hour we traveled to the shore,
And pretended not to while talking to my buddies and trying to act cool.
When the doors opened, my legs caught up to yours and our eyes met.
I started talking to you and almost forgot about my friends,
And your bright smile lit up your face as we chatted with each other
Among the throng that moved quickly and loudly toward the beach.
I whiffed the weed and saw the bottles but only cared about you that moment.
And the moment was soon lost as chaos broke out in the village by the sea.
There was pushing and shoving and yelling and then fights and blood.
There was drinking and smoking and then broken glass and debris on the street.
There was dancing and twerking on the boardwalk and then stomping atop cars.
And then just like that you were apart from me, out of sight.
I headed back to the train station and looked but could not find you.
I searched the packed platform hoping to see you again
And desperately moved from one car to the next on the train home to no avail.
I remember your name but never found out where you lived,
Or what you were doing during the rest of the summer,
Nor what your plans were for autumn or the rest of your life.
But I hope the two of us meet up again at the Jersey Shore.
©Copyright 2023, Charles A. Bruns
