INSIGHT POEM: “Lonely People on a Crowded Beach”

 

 

  LONELY PEOPLE ON A CROWDED BEACH

 

                                                    The ocean breeze teases skin and hair

                                         as the carefree sound of children

                                                                             is carried across the sand.

                                                    The beach is covered with sand, small twigs

                                        and people–

                                                                  people together

                                                                                            yet alone and lonely.

                                                    Couples paired off

                                                                             distant physically from the others

                                        A great deal distant emotionally

                                                                                                      from the others

                                       somewhat distant

                                                                            from each other

                                       and each within himself

                                                                                        a stranger.

 From Love and Other Painful Joys  (1970)  by Tom McFee (aka Tom Fee)