English Seaside Resorts

In olden days, the seaside was the place to go.
People liked to walk along the wide promenade
And imbibe the sun and the fresh air. The warm flow
Of summertime breezes, the striped deckchairs scattered
Along soft sands, children playing merrily like Time
Burned through their young veins: all golden, blissful and light,
Buckets and spades, pleasant laughter and donkey rides
Made the place charming and enchanting. Now seaside
Resorts in England, rapidly on the decline,
Are ghost towns as most now prefer sunnier climes
Abroad in Spain or Greece, Turkey or Italy.
O but surely nothing can beat walking by
An English beach enjoying ice creams of one's dreams
Or fish and chips! Years from now, some will wonder why
We were so moved by playful Punch and Judy shows,
Or cockles and mussels, but rich memories know.