beach

the thickness of glass
holds miles of ocean
but breaks in the palm of my hand
blood drips and droplets
streak past like comets
leaving holes in the penitent sand

a gaze toward horizon
blind comfort for fools
too bright, such heights I aspired
there’s a flask in the basket
a sandwich in a casket
as if wants and needs had conspired

I should have worn shoes
I could have been cautious
shells punish the soul dipping toes in the water
I swam to the light
a riptide in sight
and Thalassa drowned her oldest daughter