The Beach
Hot ceramic sunlight peeled from the skin
like taking off socks. No toe-testing here.
Wading deeper, weight lifted.
Salty sea cider: stinging white mints across the tongue
and piddling hops.
Wander deeper.
Wade deeper.
A yell: something about a ball
brought down to a simmer.
Waxing tide reflects the wrath of God.
(Fifty points for hitting the bullseye.)
Sure-footed feet ‘cause no one likes losing.
You’re only waist-deep;
keep moving.
Cool thread tying itself around the chest.
Eagle wings shoving mass back.
Black beneath the feet
an untraceable shadow.
Take a gulp: do you spit or swallow?
Mountains in moving currents
all drinkable lead.
No horizon through bouncing hills.
Buoyant debris reduced to nil like a nearsighted scope lens.
Scoffing. Coughing.
Choking. Groping.
Slowing. Knowing.
Stop.