Seeing Through The Sunshine

by Elizabeth Bracken

Art Deco by the Sea – 1930’s Exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre,
UEA, February 2020

How slim, how fit they look, how happy
playing leapfrog across Clacton beach
in cine film from 1938,
sailing at Horning, 1934.
This exhibition glows. The light’s let in
through glass blue skies, blue water
yellow sand and sun, tanned bodies
white pleasure palaces that ride like liners.

My mother talked of village tennis games
played in lengthening summer dusk;
your father recalled his walking tours -
the Thirties their golden era
sandwiched by war,
a time unreachable, untouchable.

Copyright © 2020 Elizabeth Bracken