Beach

barnacles gather
just below the waterline
where the piers once stood
–
rotting pilings-
waves, the echoes
of children’s laughter

lighting up the sky-
the glow of paper lanterns
adrift in the night
–
evening stroll-
the dance
of fireflies

boots in the water
my line slack on the surface
suddenly pulled taut
–
low morning light-
steam rises
off the lake

the incoming tide
laps the shore and erases
our sandy footprints
–
whispering surf-
driftwood
in the reeds

asleep on the beach-
so far away from winter
and your icy touch
–
caribbean surf-
tracing lazy circles
on the small your back

echoing silence-
bodies strewn haphazardly
on the downtown streets
–
an absence of birds-
villagers gather fish
in the receding sea

you can take my heart
and do with it what you will
I’m finished with it
–
driftwood-
sand dunes
strewn by the wind

rising from the sea-
her newly formed shores made from
black and steaming glass
–
predawn chill-
venus and jupiter dance
in the twilight

coastal bittersweet-
north winds blow the raging sea
against the breakers
–
highland cliffs-
amethyst heather
in bloom

flags snap in the wind-
lines of waves begin to break
over silver sands
–
snoring-
warm breath
on my neck