For Poets United, Thursday Think Tank, we were asked to think about the beach. I’ve lived in Santa Monica, where many nights were spent on the beach (under various influences); Bermuda, where the sand really IS pink… but for my money, there was a romance in the salt air of Puerto Rico that remains unmatched. No offense to Bermuda or LA! Amy
THE BEACH AT SAN JUAN
San Juan beach at twilight
Strolling barefoot on cool sand
Sandals looped round my finger
Arm round the waist of a sweet soul
Head resting on his shoulder
We stop to regard the city from this place
The casinos at full tilt, the street filled with tourists
Then, as lovers do, we turn away and disregard
the frantic pace and rumble of night life
to discover and rediscover the essence of closeness
The sky holds a sliver of silver, stars shining all the more
for the moon’s modest reflection
Tide moving gently, water licking our toes
We sit in silence/not silence
Rhythm of a shared heart
Swish of Corona sipped from bottles
Breeze playing brushes on tall palms
air tinged with salt and
heavy with jasmine
filled with promise
© Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
vivinfrance
I felt every moment of this! “Breeze playing brushes on tall palms” exactly describes how it sounds. Bravo
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, that’s the jazz singer in me. Love when the drummers use brushes on the snare… So glad you liked this, Viv! Thanks, Amy
booguloo
When I was in the service I had a great time in San Juan. The beaches all around the island were beautiful.
Sharp Little Pencil
Were you at Buchanan? Yes, the beaches are lovely, and the air is something unique – you can almost taste the salt. Thanks, Michael!
wordsandthoughtspjs
Amy, this is beautiful and romantic. Lovely imagery.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Pamela, thank you so much! A
Buddah Moskowitz
Perfect. Just perfect.
Thanks Ameleh
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Bruddah. See you at your blog! Love, Ameleh
Kim Nelson
I smile every time my email tells me you’ve made a new post!
My two favorite lines in this one? …Then, as lovers do, we turn away and disregard… and …We sit in silence/not silence…
With these few words you convey immense meaning. This is a lovely love poem, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Kim. After I read your comment, I decided to read it aloud at Buddah Moskowitz’s virtualpoetryreading.com!! And silence/not silence was one of those moments when something lovely dropped out of heaven into my lap. Much appreciate your kind words. Peace, Amy
pmwanken
Lovely description you’ve captured…transported me there quite easily.
Things have been a bit hectic for me and I’ve fallen behind, this week, on all the blogs I like to follow and the prompts I like to attempt….but here’s the latest: IN HIS GRIP. It also reveals a bit of my frame of mind. And heart. I enjoyed reading your Beach piece, in contrast to my life!
~Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
Paula, intriguing response that beckons me to your site. Glad my poem gave you a cheap vacation! Amy
Susan Sonnen
Fantastic V words!!! 😀
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, yeah, I have a few I didn’t choose to use…! Ha ha, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh so romantic. Sigh…………..since romance is non existent in my life, allow me to live vicariously through this poem!:)
Sharp Little Pencil
This was a fictional romance, so, even though I’m happily married, there’s always room for a dream lover! (Lex understands!) Amy
Debbie
This is beautiful! I felt like I was there . . .:)
Sharp Little Pencil
Heard that from a couple of folks, so you have kindred spirits, Debbie. Like I told others, always happy to give my friends a free vacation! Love, Amy
Roger Green
My sister lived in PR for FIVE YEARS in the early 1980s, , and I thought I was too poor to visit her and her husband at the time and daughter; I’ve long regretted that.
Sharp Little Pencil
I was the early 90s. I know what you mean about squandered opportunities – I put off a lot of travel possibilities and now I look back and say, WHAT? Thanks, Roger, A
Altonian
I liked this very much Amy. Check my blog, there’s something for you there.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Leigh. Hmmm, what awaits me? I must FLY to your blog!