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Mussels

September 17, 2023 8 Comments

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Suzanne sat on a large log, looking out to sea. The tide had fully retreated. It was one of the lowest neap tides of the year. Large patches of pungent sandy mud filled the spaces between the exposed rocks, acres of seafloor normally covered with plenty of water. She could see him in the distance, collecting the large blue-black mussels and depositing them into a pail. She had met him once before and he had invited her to accompany him once again, with the promise of a home-cooked meal afterward. Suzanne agreed with pleasure. She was attracted to his well-developed muscles.

By Chris Paul

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz says

    September 17, 2023 at 5:24 pm

    Evocative , beautiful – and then splendid bathos in that ghastly pun. Superb.

    Reply
    • Chris Lihou says

      September 20, 2023 at 10:49 am

      Thank you Liz

      Reply
    • Cherllisha Silva says

      September 20, 2023 at 2:29 pm

      The neap tide description inhabits a strong sense of the place

      Reply
  2. Rudolph Ferro says

    September 17, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    Excellent descriptive literary piece, Chris. I had the feeling all the time that I was right there and then. Keep writing and sending your good works.

    Reply
    • Chris Lihou says

      September 20, 2023 at 10:51 am

      Thank you, Rudolph, for the encouragement.

      Reply
  3. David Higham says

    September 20, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    Witty and romantic.
    Spring tide not neap, I think.

    Reply
    • Chris Lihou says

      September 20, 2023 at 12:35 pm

      Thanks, David…Neap tides occur when the sun, moon, and Earth form a right angle, and this causes the regular high tides and low tides to become much lower than usual.

      Reply
  4. Toni Brayer says

    September 20, 2023 at 1:42 pm

    I had to look up neap tide. Evocative!

    Reply

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