Student Publishing Program ::

Emma C.

The Beach

I look out at the endless expanse stretching before me,

an ocean of glass shimmering in every color of the rainbow –

magenta, violet, aquamarine, amber, buttercup, emerald, periwinkle, cobalt.

Golden droplets from the sun exude warmth as they float downwards,

illuminating the shards they land on.

A wave crashes on the shore before my feet,

filling my ears with the tinkling of glass,

a soothing melody never heard before.

Serene bell-like sounds ring from the bright shards

while calming, gong-like noises pulsate from the shadowy shards.

My eyes are drawn towards a glowing shard,

a crisp, icy azure slice of glass.

As my fingers touch the cool, silky surface,

the shard liquefies, sending a frosty jolt through my body,

that clears my mind.

I find another alluring shard,

a welcoming shade of honey.

I reach out towards the glass,

expecting to feel a comforting warmth spread throughout me,

like being bundled in front of a fire on a chilly winter’s day,

but pain scorches through my hand as my finger brushes the glass,

and crimson beads ooze down the shiny surface.

As I look at the scratch on my hand in disbelief,

the tranquil melody of the shards transforms

into dissonant beeps.

I am wrenched away from the vivid ocean

into my frigid, dark room,

the alarm clock screeching in my ear.

I long for the dream that is quickly becoming blurry in my mind,

the last memories of the magical shards dissipating like fog.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2012 EDITION]