TIDE

The scorching sun
the warm, sweet breeze
our bare necks and shoulders
unaware

In a comical hurry
crabs run away as we approach
every step we take
a perfect eternity

Sand, shells, microplastics
a glowing rainbow everywhere
the Sea is so far
we feel abandoned

A long, thin finger
peeps from a hole
in the sand
we hold hands in disbelief

Starfish!, you shriek
in infectious delight
we kneel and stare back
at these peeping fingers

Salty skin starts burning
slowly, sweetly
we pull ourselves away
from this miracle

Miracles need sharing
and shared they shall
the others too
should witness this wonder

But side-quests unfold
the sun stays frozen
in its eternal
five-thirty-pm glory

and when finally
everyone’s on the rainbow
with us
– high and confused, lost –
it dawns on you

Ah! the tide!