Last Supper on Cama Beach

The sea was wet as wet could be,

      The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because

      No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead —

      There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

      Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see

      Such quantities of sand:

 If this were only cleared away,'
      They said, it would be grand!'

 

The time has come,' the Walrus said,

      To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —

      Of cabbages — and kings —

 

-a few apt words from Lewis  Carrol

The home builder and the homemaker were walking hand in hand; they wept like anything to sense the fleeting sand... If only all our future unknowns were cleared away, they said, it would be grand!

It was Sue's last night in Washington on her summer visit to our rising home on the Pilchuck and celebration of Inga's completed Master's Degree.

The time has come, the Home Builder said, to talk of many things: of funds - and futures - and ceiling paints - of dreams - and apple orchard schemes -- and such things --

 We packed a small bag of chocolates, briny chips and pastries for our last supper together. We found a bleached log above the high tide line on a lonely stretch of Cama Beach and settled into tentative talks of our future. Much unknown, much to be decided. So many decision - so little time...

When will the house be done? Will I stay in Washington from here on out? When will my wife move into our house? What does retirement mean? Hell, what does retirement even look like? Can it be retirement? 

The time has come to talk of many things... between smirks and bites of chocolate bonbons for our supper

I feel nothing is decided. She feels nothing is settled. Why is it all so nebulous on the horizon if there is no cloud in the sky?

We walk along the stony beach, enjoying the setting sun shining on the sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have already felt the loss of her. It is sweet sorrow to be with her as the sun sets knowing she will depart in the morning. Cama Beach is isolated, perfect for sharing a decadent dinner above the billows smooth and bright.

 

 

 We decide little among us. We count what we have between us; trust, adoration, a future of adventure, love and a few chocolates. 

Tomorrow we will share our good byes and rock slowly hand in hand as the future breaks upon us. I tell her, 'It was so kind of you to come!'

 

 

The world is yet to be our oyster. Come lets us talk of many thins...

Barnacles and clams - resting among the rocks, for they are no oysters

But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,

      Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

      And all of us are fat!'

No hurry!' said the Carpenter.

      They thanked him much for that.

A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,

      Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

      Are very good indeed —

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,

      We can begin to feed.'

But not on us!' the Oysters cried,

      Turning a little blue.

After such kindness, that would be

      A dismal thing to do!'

The night is fine,' the Walrus said.

      Do you admire the view?

It was so kind of you to come!

      And you are very nice!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

      Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf —

      I've had to ask you twice!'

It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,

      To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far,

      And made them trot so quick!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

      The butter's spread too thick!'

I weep for you,' the Walrus said:

      I deeply sympathize.'

With sobs and tears he sorted out

      Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

      Before his streaming eyes.

O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,

      You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?'

      But answer came there none —

And this was scarcely odd, because

      They'd eaten every one."

 

Mussels thick yet there were no oysters to be found

The valves of a clam without the company of nary an oyster