The Sea Shore

5/24/06

Hoisting her blue polka dot percale dress

she dips her toes into the shore warmed wave

then runs with delight back to the beach head

where others lie safely soaking sun rays into starved skin

Limber little girl limbs flash and slice

the azure waters as she searches for shells

Brown summer arms dip now and again

into scooped sand pools

where tiny crabs and mini-mollusks cringe against the light

One curlycue shape reminds her of palm fronds

while a conch beckons with its inner voice

She stands with feet now buried

as whirlpools caress her ankles

and seagulls caw overhead

With hands on hips she cannot decide

whether to harvest here

or move down the beach

where a red ball bounces gaily

and the other children play