Salt

My shins left indents in the sand

from s t a y i n g

as the sun fades from the mild waves

I pat the mound of smooth sand-

a wing of a castle

before releasing the hollow from the pit

of my stomach

The seagulls scatter fast

In the distance-

A storm

I will breathe

after

a while

I sat there watching the tide

reveal broken shells

I pick up the pieces out of habit

And walk to the shoreline

lay my ear to the earth

listening for you

I'll lie down

stay-

still as a horseshoe crab

as the soft foaming waves

brush over my feet

my legs

my belly

my chest

and submerges my face

one full

second

A thin glaze of reflecting

liquid

speaks slow

foreign silk

as it draws back

I'll look up at the misty grey sky

and smile

until the clouds clear

and the sun beams

down

burning

my raw skin

I waited

and waited for you

I throw the sharp

shells

back

California

slips away in a song