Beetlebung and Kettlehole--April Poems

Jensen Beach at Dawn

sand between toes I glide at the water’s edge
slate gray sky with streaks of color
filtering in early morning

ocean plays tag with the beach
then gags plastic on yesterday’s beer cans
mussels, periwinkles, a blanket of shells

suddenly an orchestra of cacophony
wings clap overhead as if laughter
sea birds are awakening in a rush

soft wind like a daring spirit brushes my face
then my toe rubs against a discarded coconut oil bottle
as a reminder of the bold world

and instinct forces my feet back toward home
for he is my priority over this stroll
be that I am, on the opposite pole, only his option