Cast in Sand

Cast in Sand

Cast in Sand

It was a good day. Cast in Sand is about a walk on a beach at Half Moon Bay on the twenty fifth of august, two thousand and one, frozen in a single happy moment forever.

...home
...poet

My city, it smokes through
Cars on its many roads,
But everything blends into
The blinding light of the setting sun
Which flashes behind passing leaves
And all that moves ceases, as I reach
Soft sands of a distant beach.

Steps tread over steps so many
That shaped sands with a day's tales
Paradise lost, paradise won,
Over and over and over again.
Sifting through a million grains
Hands of a child build a castle strong
As walls collapse and I am free.

Ocean breathes through cold water's gills
Sound of each breath crashing ashore,
I step on steps blurred by the wind
Of impressions human, canine, galloping, chirping
Seagull's running to catch a flight
A couple's fondling left deep within their
Footprints lost in an embrace's delight.

My steps in steps let go their play
And walk towards the music
Of salt, in surf, in sand, in water
Cold, cold, so cold, so cold,
Chills running through skin, so cold
Denim wet, shirt barely dry
Waves approaching, so cold, so cold.

A little off balance my body they throw
Retreating waves down their path return
Sinking feet in drenched sands meanwhile
They hold me fast, they hold me through
I dare a little deeper, water rises, colder
And I ask to be drenched in them
A little more, just a little more.

To a child's envy and surprise
I wade leisurely ashore
So many children meanwhile
Find their moment in chasing an ebbing wave
Then scurrying fast to their parent's feet
As the next one returns chasing them away,
"O Mother 'tis so cold! O Mother, 'tis so cold!"

Despite freezing winds that blow
And body shivers wet and soaked
I turn so warm within.
I hop a casual hop back home
Leaving behind footprints light
For another to discover later this night
The story of my evening spent.