A Goode Welcome Party

A Goode Welcome Party

Goode beach chuckles under sea breeze song

As stranger’s hope beam across a cerulean horizon

Anticipating step quickens at each wave break

Until velocity of boom from sea upon sand. Stop, stare,

              “do I go in?”

“Would you like to join us?”

An arriving siren lyrically speaks beyond shoulder.

Heartbeat momentarily paused in curiosity hue

Turn, see kindness in smile, similar lies around eyes

Heart exhales fear and falls into step with women of wiser years

A wink from the learned posse flows toward the intrepid beginner

              “Follow us, it’s safe over here”

              “Goode beach can have some curly surprises”.

Easy chat mixing with sandy feet, and gentle quiescent builds

Familiarity with each snippet of one another’s oceanic fears

A humour ripples across the new gaggle

              “But we have fun, we always do”

              “Come along at morning’s calling, we’ll be here!”

Step in the cool deep with the Troupe of Marine Queens

Loosen that hair and untangled past veneers

The first great wash tempts us all back in.

              “woohoo… golly that’s good”

              “It’s good for your soul…. And your blood pressure”.

Laughter, joyful glee spins across the granite rock

Nature toys with bodies, sunshine contours exhilarated skin

Unifying lines that join this new arrival to the worshippers’ ritual

              “Phew that was close, I’ll nearly got sweep out to sea”

              “We got you, always watching out, that’s what we’re about”.

Salty water slides off thighs, breast, knee to puddle

Whilst the patient blue heeler licks the blow-in’s cold toes

Heart so full, giggles move to thanks given

              “That was so incredible!”

              “Come again, come again”

The sisters’ choir and the newbie embrace the Goode beach welcome party.

(First published in Pen and Possibilities 2026)