The beach at sunset and sunrise

Ocean Sunset

St. Pete Beach, FL

WE RUN BREATHLESS
GIGGLING

GOD’S GRANDE FINALE
THE ORCHESTRA TUNING

THE CYMBAL CRASHES
THE ORBED FLAMING SUN
DESCENDS

IT’S GLORIOUS
A WATERCOLOR PAINTING
OVER THE OCEAN

THE SUN FLAMES ORANGE
COLOR THAT BLENDS
RED WITH YELLOW

THE SKY BLUSHES PINK
COLOR THAT BLENDS
RED WITH WHITE

GOD DIPS HIS BRUSH IN
THE SEA: TURQUOISE -
BLUE WITH GREEN

HE’S PAINTING
       PAINTING

WE WATCH
UNTIL THE VERY END

HE REACHES FOR AN INKWELL
DIPS A FOUNTAIN PEN IN
AND DRAWS LONG STRAIGHT LINES
ON THE WAVES

THE LINES COME TOWARD US
ONE AFTER THE OTHER
LIKE THE UNSPOKEN LYRICS
OF HIS SONG

I WANT TO LEARN IT
MEMORIZE IT
SING -

HE’S INVITING US
AS LINE AFTER LINE
PUDDLE AT OUR FEET

SEA BIRDS AND CLOUDS
ARE NOW SHADOWS
FLYING AWAY

WE LINGER
WATCHING THE CREDITS
HEARING THE SONG AGAIN
JUST FOR US

SAND IS STICKING TO MY FEET
I DON’T WANT TO SHAKE OFF
THIS MOMENT
THIS TRANSIENT MOMENT OF GRANDEUR.

Ocean Sunrise

The sun’s descent last night
Ignited our desire to see
it’s ascent this morning

We started our day with vigor
Laced up tennis shoes
and running, running,
running

We can see a sunrise
on our Atlantic coast
but this is the Gulf Coast

We run
the sun creeps up behind us
behind the tall swaying palms

Sun's rays warm our backs
Lengthen our shadows

I let Derick run ahead
He’s faster, determined

I linger slower
Captivated by the
charm of the sea

It’s a rippling shell
Glistening in bright
iridescent hues

The water's edge
scallops

Foam disperses into
intricate woven lace
at my feet

Then I notice the
sea gulls in day light

They are unlike
their East coast cousins

East coast birds
emit a cacophony of noise
Fighting over limited
offerings from bystanders

Gulf coast birds
are quiet and docile

Each bird is self-possessed
and a king in his own rite

They huddle in groups
discussing the merits
of clam souffle and
clam cheesecake

I laugh, turn,
lean into the sun
glance again at the
new face on the sea

The sea has moods
expressions
faces

It is only a reflection
rippling and splashing back
at the sky

Derick waits for me
we run together
each sand dune a hurdle