Blissful Paradise

By Carli Vermeulen, 18, Wisconsin

Soft sand squishes between my toes on a chalky white coast.

My defined footprints, so temporary, vanish without a trace as I wander on.

Waves playfully lap up onto the shore, splashing me with their delightful gift of refreshment.

Looking out to the horizon, the water continues on in an endless stretch of blue.

Small speckled fish dart through the water as crabs burrow into the safety of the sand.

Sandpipers scutter along searching for a meal as gulls soar high above, creating shadows on our backs below.

Sunset fills the sky with hues of violet, yellow, and red.

Waves magnificently reflect the display as the evening reddens.

I stop to gape at the surrounding scene and tears threaten as awe overtakes me.

When life becomes difficult, my mind continues to play back the memory of this blissful paradise.

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During our creative writing class we were encouraged to write about nature and how we were connected to it. I decided to write about a trip to Florida I took this summer and how meaningful it was to me. I was in awe of the beautiful sunsets and tried to capture the pure bliss of being at the ocean.

Photo by Frank McKenna