The Paddock Review

Water’s Edge

…………….There are waves of sound in a mermaid cave

………………………………………………………….~Conrad Aiken

 

start here       

at the water’s edge

where the air smells 

of salt and seaweed

 

where     the sand burbs

as the surge falls back

and      the ground sizzles 

under        your bare feet

 

waves come 

alluring and treacherous

and this is comforting

if you don’t mind 

 

being crushed into the cave

of the mermaids

waves echo like sobs

bouncing in the hollows

 

cries     keen off the rocks 

until the tide recedes 

start there       

crossing the beach

 

at the place where 

the sun     completes its task

at the    far horizon

to coat the ocean    copper 

 

where        the breakers 

are full of kelp      and shells

and nothing    

absolutely nothing   is resolved