walking along the beach
listening to the cry of the seagulls
my footsteps sink in the wet sand
I watch as the pink hues are overtaken by the dark umber color
squishing between my toes until I am just a stump
My best friend runs along the surface and leaves a distinguished paw mark which quickly disappears as if its time on earth were done
I focus on the multi color sand and the ways the light ripples off the peaks
The zebra like pattern leaves me awestruck as if placed by the All Mighty Himself
this makes me smile and the old childhood saying returns fresh in my mind
"Step on the crack and you'll break your mothers back"
I childishly skip over the contrasting peaks but my blond friend foolishly disregards the game
she is more interested in the small sandpipers and gives the leash a hard tug
I continue looking at the shadows my body casts upon the sand as I walk toward the rocky edge of the cove
my dog veers toward the frothy shoreline to check out the burnt offering made by campers weeks ago
I watch my steps as cockle burs and shards of glass direct me elsewhere as I absentmindedly left my sandals at the car
We find some sandstone in which to rest and my
companion seizes the opportunity for a massage to her ear
she sits obediently at my feet and looks out to the calmness of the lake
the glass like surface is only interrupted by a large crane who fled away by the thought of a canine close
I watched as the ripples spread out like an atomic explosion and it reminded me of the pattern in the sand
just minutes before
Couples walk hand in hand on the far side of the cove
a little dog barks with excitement as the older couple move much too slow toward the shoreline
A truck drives over the dunes looking for a perfect fishing spot
earlier that day I saw many a fish biting at the insects floating just above the waters surface
their lips look as if they are blowing kisses to the sky
My dog has a repulsive smell of the lake which I can only gather to be liquefied fish guts
since I only have seen the skeletal remains caught upon the shallow rocks
the small dog and happy couple must have left as it remains silent and their is no yapping to break the air
we head back as the fisherman has determined too that the cove wasn't an optimal spot and packs his gear to try his luck elsewhere
I am looking forward to the beer I know awaits me upon my arrival
something about the sand and water that makes my mouth salivate for the cold brew and chips I packed earlier
the plastic beach chair looks more enticing after my walk
I pick up my book and soft blanket
settle in to see what the characters have done since I was away
My best friend lies at my feet as we give each other needed warmth and I sigh at the simplistic beauty this moment has
