Shoreline

a weathered rowboat-
mooring line gently slapping
up against the dock
–
children jumping
from the pier-
lakeside

reeds and rushes-
a warm tide ebbs from the marsh
and runs to the sea
–
sea glass-
walking the beach
at low tide

the wind on the dunes-
playful fingers turning the
pages of my book
–
wet towels-
bare feet
on my dash

at the water’s edge
cattails and reeds bend leeward
softening the shore
–
the great salt marsh-
a blue heron wading
intently focused

as the tide comes in
the quiet surf erases
our mingled footprints
–
salt breezes
clammers digging
in the wet sand

staring at the stars
she walks in the warm surf while
winds tousle her hair
–
herring gulls
skimming on the
offshore breeze