Winter Beach


I walked
a winter beach today
though august heat prevails.
Grey sky reflected
on a steely sea.

Mine
the first steps to mark
this water bound path,
thru dunes frosted with
wind sifted sand,
heaped at the edges.
While I slide
toward the sea.

The tide was out.

Breakers falling where
crushed shells tumble,
remnants of yesterdays
wave tossed treasure,
missed those years ago
by questing eyes.

A castle.

Sanctuary
above the high tide line.
Deserted by occupants
called home to other realms.
I the only princess
to roam its hallowed halls,
along battlements
once unbreachable;
Crumbling now
on this wind swept strand.

No pirates
to rape and plunder,
to carry me off to foreign shores.
No adventure.
Just the rakish call of gulls
resentful of my intrusion.

On this
Winter beach.