A Barrier Island Storm​

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Brace the stirred sand

waves grating your toes

newly fashioned from rags.

 

Fish nibble your heels as a ray

reminds how Achilles’s virgin heel

bled in riposte—

 

Waves break into white ponies

galloping breakers of tattered love

in a fractional salt-storm.

 

Although you long for an easy swell

miles of sand-bottom sea boil

and a sandbar splits

 

engulfing your best intentions

 

to wade back to the beach.

You’re caught in an outbound queue

ropes of shoreline receding.

 

Terns plunge, pelicans dive

swift by your swerve out to sea.

Only the postman rings twice.