soft sand beneath toes
and shells, white and silver
like the foam of waves at dusk.
this consistency: the ocean sound,
the break against the shore, security
of the cold sea slipping between naked
toes, and the soft grey sky surrounding.
there is much to be said about nature’s
reliability: the tide settling, sweeping.
shards of shells, and salty air in noses.
the ocean sees our secrets, holds them close.