Sunday, July 28, 2019

"The Boardwalk Pavilion"

Summertime Worship
in Ocean Grove, New Jersey

Ocean Grove Beach Pavilion


THE BOARDWALK PAVILION

This glorious summer Sunday morning—

We’re drawn eastward
from north, south and west
by the magnetic pull
of God’s love-force

Drawn, to the old wooden pavilion
to the Atlantic, the Jersey shore
to the boards at God’s Square Mile—
Ocean Grove. Drawn

wearing khaki and denim
tees and tanks
sundresses, flip-flops
carrying water bottles
carrying Bibles
fanning ourselves
with song sheets

We fill the benches
then spill over
into the periphery
onto folding chairs, lawn chairs
beach blankets. Some stand
Some look for shade

It’s 80-plus and breezy
The sky, clear
The sea glistens
Waves slap the shore
merrily. We’re merry

Vacationers stroll past
Some peer; some stop
some smile; some don’t
Bikers pedal by
joggers jog

Hymnsong; guitar-strum
Son-smiles; praise dance
heart-moves; Kidz church
Gospel-preach

Agape flows outward
aboutward

Sea mist rises like incense
upward, Heavenward
toward the One
enthroned

We bask in the warmth
of His smile

of His warm, sunshiny love

Maude Carolan Pych





2 comments:

  1. I love this one, perhaps more so because I love the Jersey shore & Ocean Grove.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I understand, Barbara. I'm overdue for a trip to Ocean Grove. Maybe one day next week...

    ReplyDelete