The dawn tiptoes
Like a maiden dark,
Collecting the sea-shells
On the morning
Deserted beach,
Watched by the swaying palms,
The breaking waves singing a song
For the shy maiden
From the nearby fishermen’s village,
A flower garland in her black hair,
Kohl-lined eyes darting here-n-there,
Like a frightened rabbit crossing a road,
The dawn breaks light and crimson,
Over the silent seascape,
And gentle wakes up the orphan
Cradling a puppy in their home
In the hulk of a boat moored
On the quiet Kerala beach.

Poem Summary

Sunil Sharma’s lyrical poem “A Beach Dawn” creates a vivid picture of a calm morning scene developing on a deserted beach. The poem opens with a timid maiden personifying dawn as she tiptoes across the beach in search of seashells. A serene ambiance is created by the vision of the empty beach, swaying palms, and breaking waves, preparing the scene for the soft approach of dawn.

The landscape is bathed in light and crimson hues as dawn breaks, creating a magical glow over the quiet seascape. With her flower garland and kohl-lined eyes, the shy maiden enhances the scene’s beauty by conveying a sense of vulnerability and intimacy.

The mention of an orphan holding a puppy in their home—a hulk of a boat moored on a Kerala beach—is entwined with the natural beauty of the scene. This contrast between hardship and beauty highlights the frailty of human nature and the orphan’s resiliency in the face of adversity.

The poem’s language is full of sensory details that entice the reader to completely lose themselves in the scene’s sights, sounds, and feelings. The maiden’s delicate movements and the rhythmic sounds of breaking waves add to the overall atmosphere of contemplation and serenity.

“A Beach Dawn” invites readers to consider the connections between the natural world and the human experience through its examination of the beauty of nature and the vulnerability of humankind. The poem encourages contemplation on the ephemeral moments of beauty and the enduring spirit of resilience that persist despite life’s challenges through its evocative imagery and poignant narrative.

Overall, “A Beach Dawn” is a captivating portrayal of the tranquil beauty of a dawn on a deserted beach, weaving together themes of solitude, resilience, and the fragile beauty of the human experience. Through its lyrical language and vivid imagery, the poem invites readers to pause, reflect, and find solace in the simple moments of natural beauty that surround us.