I am a sociologist and writer from Ireland. I have worked as a social researcher for 30 years and have had a lifelong passion for writing.
My main research interests relate to health care and sense of place.
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28 thoughts on “Shell Time”
Every tide new treasures found
Glittering prizes
Left by mother sea are found! 🙂
As I walked along at the edge of the bay
On a sunny, peaceful, spring like day
I thought of generations who had gone before
And walked as I did this very same shore.
The sand was smooth, untrammeled, gold
Beach pebbles rounded as in days of old.
Assorted seashells were strewn on the beach
And seaweed stranded out of wavelets reach.
The waves foamed ashore and gently regressed.
To my ear a striped seashell I pressed.
The sea was calm and crystal-clear.
My thoughts wandered back over many a year–
To when Bronze age fishermen lived in the dunes
And locals believed they heard fairy tunes!
Down amongst the sand dunes hidden
Lies a prehistoric kitchen midden,
Where history says men in days of yore
Discarded bones and shells outside the door.
This poem my Mother Anne Phelan reminds me of your post hope you enjoy it.
I have a favorite shell that I have had since I was a child..My Mom told me to put it up against my ear and I would here the ocean roar..I believed that story for the longest time…ha I still put it up against my ear and it brings me to the seashore….I also collect shells, living down in Marshfield MA for a couple of years, I had access to the beaches. After a “NorEaster” storm the shore would be a mass of seaweed, rocks, and shells along with drift wood..Natures’ treasure trove.
When I was younger, I was all about the shells on a beach. Funny now how the stones are what interest me, and I have jars full of stones from different beaches, with just one or two shells occasionally. 🙂
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
Every tide new treasures found
Glittering prizes
Left by mother sea are found! 🙂
That’s lovely, Willow. Thanks so much. xx
🙂 xxxxx
LOL
🙂
Love your polished rocks. Ours are smooth but not polished as your. I would be in my heyday collecting rocks there…….Pebble art
This is amazing. Now, why didn’t I think of that? xoxo
Wow!
Love this! It evokes such a wonderful feeling!
You’re welcome
Joseph, the pebble art is gorgeous. It’s so creative. I guess it’s not quite as easy as it looks but I intend giving it a shot.
Do its is so creative. If you enter pebble art images in your browser you will be able to look at many samples from a woman in Canada
Oh I will. This could be a whole new beginning. Thanks for the inspiration.
Not a problem 🙂
Thanks!
I like your creations ..looks almost like a puzzle…
Hi Jean, I love the notion of a new page with every tide…new beginnings:):)
Hi Olga, I feel there’s little more refreshing than to go to the beach and find the tide out and not one footprint on the sand.
Walking the Beach at Tramore.
As I walked along at the edge of the bay
On a sunny, peaceful, spring like day
I thought of generations who had gone before
And walked as I did this very same shore.
The sand was smooth, untrammeled, gold
Beach pebbles rounded as in days of old.
Assorted seashells were strewn on the beach
And seaweed stranded out of wavelets reach.
The waves foamed ashore and gently regressed.
To my ear a striped seashell I pressed.
The sea was calm and crystal-clear.
My thoughts wandered back over many a year–
To when Bronze age fishermen lived in the dunes
And locals believed they heard fairy tunes!
Down amongst the sand dunes hidden
Lies a prehistoric kitchen midden,
Where history says men in days of yore
Discarded bones and shells outside the door.
This poem my Mother Anne Phelan reminds me of your post hope you enjoy it.
Thanks so much for sharing Anne’s poem. It captures Tramore Beach beautifully.
You’re welcome!
Well thanks again! Have a good Sunday.
I have a favorite shell that I have had since I was a child..My Mom told me to put it up against my ear and I would here the ocean roar..I believed that story for the longest time…ha I still put it up against my ear and it brings me to the seashore….I also collect shells, living down in Marshfield MA for a couple of years, I had access to the beaches. After a “NorEaster” storm the shore would be a mass of seaweed, rocks, and shells along with drift wood..Natures’ treasure trove.
Hi Joni, I still listen for the sea in shells I’ve had from childhood too. There’s a magic about it all, isn’t there.
Beautiful Jean! ❤
Thanks Jewels. Glad you like it.
When I was younger, I was all about the shells on a beach. Funny now how the stones are what interest me, and I have jars full of stones from different beaches, with just one or two shells occasionally. 🙂
Suz, that’s an interesting turnaround. I must say I like the mixture and find myself collecting both.