Storms drench the beach,

melt yesterday's sandcastles

built safe above high tide.

In the rented cottage

Monopoly and Canasta pall.

Wistful noses press against window panes

grease smears of hope.

Flung on the bench by the front door

Aunt Irene's vacation bag,

stuffed with snacks and toys,

her odds-and-ends purse,

its drawstrings snugged

against our small hands.

Precious play time running out,

our week at the shore ends.

Her umbrella leans, still dripping rain.

Biography

Patricia Wellingham-Jones, former psychology researcher/writer/editor, has been published in journals, newspapers, anthologies, and online. Her most recent books are Don‚t Turn Away: Poems About Breast Cancer, Labyrinth: Poems & Prose, Apple Blossoms at Eye Level and Lummox Press Little Red Book series, A Gathering Glance. She lives in northern California.

Photographer Biography

Jenny Kay, an administrative assistant in northern California, taught English at International School Bangkok and wrote features for Bangkok Post for 15 years. She later taught computer programs in CA . Photography is a new adventure - she recently sold a picture of her cat Johnnie to I Love Cats magazine.