Ocean City in October by Christine Pennylegion

November 27, 2023
Poem title: Ocean City in October Poet name: Christine Pennylegion Poem: We labour on deserted sands to build our seaside home. Fat toddler hands pat walls and lumpy strongholds into being; we gather shells to decorate, fortify with sticks, fly seaweed banners bravely. A moat takes shape to guard against the rising tide. Overnight it laps closer and closer, moon-pulled, implacable, as we dream our sea salt dreams. We do not hear the walls collapse. We do not hear a thing. End of poem. Credits and bio: Copyright © Christine Pennylegion Previously published in Belmont Story Review, vol. VIII, August 2023. Christine Pennylegion has lived in and around Toronto, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Windsor. She holds a BA(Hons) in English from the University of Toronto, and an MAR from Trinity School for Ministry. Her poems have been published by Dunes Review, Humana Obscura, Understorey Magazine, and others.