POEM PUBLISHED
My thanks to The Museum
of Americana, which has accepted
and published in its February issue my poem “Monday Morning Service.” The
Museum of Americana is a literary
review and can be found at http://themuseumofamericana.wordpress.com.
I wrote this poem a number
of years ago while vacationing at one of the barrier islands off the coast of
South Carolina, don’t remember which one. My husband and I had won the trip at
a school fundraiser and were staying at a resort that provided bicycles. On a
weekday afternoon I took off on a bike and rode the paved roads out of the
resort and quickly found myself coping with sandy ruts in an area sparsely
settled with small frame houses. Many gray bearded trees grew about the road as
well as in the yards, where you might see an old electric stove, or part of a
piano, or just about any kind of automotive part, in particular used tires. On
the porches, you might see reserve mattresses or fairly upholstered chairs that
had been exposed to the weather.
I passed an unoccupied church
that literally sat in the sand on the side of the road. Its drained
appearance—it was made of concrete blocks and cement and was painted an
off-concrete color—gave it an air of desolation. A grand old live oak grew so
close its roots surely undergirded the pulpit floor, and beneath the tree sat a
man on what had been the front seat of a 1960s automobile. I say 1960 because
the plank-like seat could easily accommodate three people.
I was feeling misplaced on
my shiny bicycle, but the man seemed to be napping, which made more sense than
biking given the heat of the day. The silence got into my bones. An enduring
silence that brought to mind the kind of peace that comes when you know you
have a place in the world and a reason for being here.
After I rode back to the
cultivated lawns and shrubbery of the resort, I wrote “Monday Morning Service.”
THINKING ABOUT BEACHES
Though Carolina coastal
areas are geographically neighbors, they vary significantly not only
economically but in character. Needless to say, beaches take on some of the
qualities of the tourists who frequent them.
There’s an island for every
vacationer from the richest to the poorest and youngest to oldest. If you have
more money than discretion, Hilton Head is a perfect destination. A week in a
seven-bedroom house overlooking the Atlantic can be rented for an amount of
money a modest person could live on for a year. Needless to say, the views are
spectacular, the beaches aren’t crowded, and the houses are “well appointed.”
You’ll be tempted to forget your diet in the numerous restaurants where the
quality of the food lives up to the price tag.
For the well-heeled,
there’s also Isle of Palms just north of Charleston with spacious beaches and
big houses. They’re building bigger ones every year. Its added advantage is the
proximity of Charleston, a big plus for history buffs as well as the gourmet in
your party. Charleston’s restaurants have earned their good reputations.
If you’re more of a
family-oriented traveler, Edisto Island has oceanfront homes at less cost. Many
people like the fact that it’s just commercial enough to provide several
restaurants, a grocery store, a gas station, and the necessary trinkets shop.
Similar to Edisto Island but with fewer commercial concerns is Folly Beach.
The young crowd likes
Myrtle Beach with its music, parade of cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians. The
beach is crowded, loud, and filled with activity. There are enough souvenir
shops to entertain you for days, as well as live shows, theater, and music
revues. Every year Myrtle Beach awards a medal to the best Elvis impersonator
and sponsors a shagging contest, though its pavilion has become a victim of
time. And if you’re a golfer, you can try to improve your score on a different
course every day.
There are also quiet beaches,
usually visited by old-timers who know the area better than travel agents.
Pawley’s Island, one of the smallest islands, doesn’t have a grocery store or
restaurant, but the homes and beaches are wonderful. It’s loved because it’s
quiet.
If you’ve already spent
your vacation money on a new car and still want to go somewhere, camp out on
the beach at Edisto Island. Drive to the Atlantic Ocean and turn north, away
from the family houses, and you’ll enter the campground, which is literally on
the beach. As you get comfortable in your sleeping bag, you’ll be soothed by
ocean breezes and the roar of waves .
Several coastal towns
without beaches attract visitors with their history, charm, and art. I’m
thinking of Beaufort and Georgetown, two of my favorite places. And of course,
there’s Charleston. Thriving artists live in these cities, and when you walk
along the main street, you’ll see a number of art galleries selling their work.
There are many more
destinations along the SC coast, each with its own fan club. A Richmond friend
of mine goes to Kiawah Island every summer. Murrells Inlet has a reputation for
great seafood. Hunting Island is mostly a state park, but if you can reserve
one of their cabins, you can do better than I can. They’re always booked up.
Harbor Island is a gated resort where you can rent condos. Its beach is on the
tranquil waters of St. Helena Sound. Among the other interesting places to
visit are Surfside Beach, Sullivan’s Island, Garden City, Dewees Island, and
Seabrook.
