Scorton Marsh, Sandwich, Cape Cod
A Poetic Photo Story
By: Astrid Hiemer - Sep 30, 2014
Dreams of Childhood: Then and Now
It’s raining out ~
I’m being transported back
To days on the Island of Langeoog
In the North Sea.
On a very rainy day
I would walk to the beach
Covered in a rain slicker
Listen to the howling driving wind.
From within a rattan beach basket
Turned against rain and wind,
Sit sideways, totally protected
Against the elements.
I would absorb the sounds
Smell the rain and
Read, read for hours
On end….
My yearning still today is strong
To be near The Ocean – any ocean.
So we travel for days or weeks each year
To Cape Cod or perhaps another shore.
We just spent a gloriously sunny week on
East Sandwich Beach, Cape Cod
In a small cottage, along Scorton Marsh.
We walked the marsh paths every day.
High Tide brought it back to life,
The Atlantic’s water would flow into channels,
And wet land and plants.
We learned that severe summer storms
Flood high the entire marsh.
One channel, dry at low tide,
Was ‘littered’ with stranded boats
And a long wooden ladder –
What a strange sight!
Our walks along the way
Would lead to the tip of East Sandwich Beach
Where the Atlantic meets the marsh -
Offering a horizon in direction of Europe.
A line of huge bolders protects houses
And Scorton Shores from erosion.
Cottages with patios and stately homes
Dot the marsh and ocean edge.
I watched breathlessly
A heron perched on a pole,
Then taking off in flight.
A magnificent bird, a memorable sight!
We studied and photographed flora
Daily we came upon a single shoe left behind.
What’s the story there?
A flock of birds pausing in flight to reach winter places.
The East Sandwich Beach and
Scorton Marsh community
Consists of cottages
And second homes in many sizes.
Weekend escapes or summer rentals
Bring the beach community to life.
We were fortunate to live a glorious
And quiet week there in September among
Few friendly neighbors left and right.