THE BEACH AT AUTUMN ON CAPE COD

in the miles of beach sand
only the seagulls and terns remain, this time of year
ready to, dip and soar- crisscross, they target

aiming for the sky
fly high above, or they skit, down along the beach
chasing the horizon at angles to confound

from the east to the west towering cliffs of sand
seem to conquer heights, eroding on the back side
giving sway  to the shifting winds

during a season in change, burnt oranges and browns clash
with the assaulted beach grass
at ones feet constantly, no longer trampled upon

here, where the water stays ice cold, most times
the whales rise and fall off in the distance lingering on
for one last riff until the harsh currents drive them away

and with each sunrise- sunset, life will run it's course
bracing for the bitterness of a north atlantic winter
and the dramatic changes of scenery that are still to come

By Michael Perry