we knew the beach would be like this

and that is part of the fun

beach towels and bodies thicker than sand fleas

flesh of every hue and form in abundance

an abundance of abundance

and the gulls and the vendors

trudging up and down the beach

selling fresh fruit and beach toys and sunbrellas

we find an open spot after our own long trudge

after parking what seemed like miles away

we stake our bit of sand

spread our towels

declare this bit of beach our own

and head for the surf

we bob with the other bobbers

countless bobbers

the surf is too high to swim

and besides

the life-guards don't allow swimmers

to go beyond the breakers

for that you must go to north or south

to unmanned beaches and take your chances

how happy we are to be here

some long for the quiet of the woods and trails

but we crave society

we want to be part of the soup   and we are

simmering in the pacific 

bobbing among the froth

surrounded by delight

by laughter

by kids who will remember their day at the beach

long after their inland drive tonight

and the parents

exhausted   perhaps sunburned 

and the likes of us without family or friends at the ready

being a part of something greater than ourselves

part of a temporary hiatus on humanity's lesser qualities

where near bare skin and bouncing bits

make us all equally vulnerable 

and nobody cares