~

the big waves come in

and like magic

they come 

in their vans

on their bikes, walking

boards on their heads

changing into their wetsuits in the parking lot

exchanging the latest

on currents and lefts and rights

then

crossing the hot sand

paddling out

closer to shore the body surfers

and boggie-boarders

and kids with pails

and plovers

and me

stake out our territory

~

higher up on the beach

at the cafe with chairs and umbrellas

i see you

~

i hope i don't catch your eye

but i am looking

i'd hate for you to think i care too much

but i do

~

i come from the waves spitting salt

shaking my hair dry

feeling the chill

which lasts

no time at all

stretching out on my towel

trying not to look back

but i do

~

i know what i want

but i don't know how to get it

i've been so wrong

so many times

~

i get out my sketch book and micron 05 pen

wishing i was one of the happy people

at least for a bloody hour or tw0

christ on a cupcake, give me that!

~