FLOWERS OF THE SEA
(Chris Richards)


She wouldn’t let his hand go
Till he kissed her one more time
He said, “I’m only going to Lovers Point”
But she knew it was a lie


He lashed a longboard to the roof
A silver single-fin
Drove the foggy coastal road
And the gate guard waved him in


He’d tracked the waves from Maui
By afternoon, they came
And now the weather buoys off Monterey
Were tearin’ from their chains


When he pulled into the overlook
He could feel the rumbling ground
A couple of slack-jawed surfers
Watched him begin to paddle out   


Back home, Carmel is doing dishes   
Washing each one too carefully
Heavy are the hearts that are waiting on the shore
Blessed are the flowers of the sea


Now, the winter swells have quieted
The coast is new with spring       
The golfers up on Pebble Beach  
Are trying to find their swings


But down below in the grassy field
That hugs Stillwater Cove
There’s a name carved on a lava rock
Where Carmel often goes


And the fishing boats return to port
And every now and then
One will swear they saw out there
A silver single-fin


Back home, Carmel is doing dishes    
Washing each one too carefully
Heavy are the hearts that are waiting on the shore
Blessed are the flowers of the sea
Heavy are the hearts that are waiting on the shore
Blessed are the flowers of the sea


©2013 Chris Richards / White Mare Music (BMI)