Sand slips through woven mesh trays

Sun burns the specks of glass into Lilliputian daggers.

Wind yanks grasses from their gritty home.

Rain gnaws the dunes which are never secure.

Waves pulverize the fine shells on the shore.

                But does nature disappear?

People slide unnoticed through this orbiting sphere.

Troubles blaze scars on quiet faces.

Calamity poisons once-strong roots.

Burdens slowly raze safety walls to dust.

Catastrophe plunders the remains of broken lives.

                But do they fall?

They choke but gasp for breath.

They waver but stand strong.

They shiver but never freeze.

They brace themselves for the next breaking wave.

They live.