Beth King reads her poem in front of the pastel painting by Susan Mason that inspired her at the June 18 Art of Poetry event at Hickory Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford.

Beth King
WASHED ASHORE
after “Washed Ashore” by Susan Mason

I was Washed Ashore-
a Broken Scallop Shell
Once the White of Purity
Now a Dusty Greyish-Beige – –
Just a Neutral Now
No Real Color at All;
No Real Color at All
Fading into the Dirt-Sand
of All the Seas and Oceans;
So Ancient they Have become New Again.

Is that me this day? Is that me?
So Ancient with the Experience of Life;
I Have Become New Again,
Innocent and Naïve-
As If I were an Infant,
A Child Once More
In the Arms of the Very One
Who Loves Me . . .
In the Arms of the Very One I Love.