WE'VE WALKED THIS BEACH

we've walked this beach
in all our seasons of change, every kind of weather
whether it was days or nights, why did it hit me
in this moment, right here and now

I never told her, I hated cold weather, I did it for her
she always felt invigorated as the biting wind pricked
the sea spray hit my face like a dead reckoning, she
laughed at my expense, her cheeks flushed crimson red

each season as we walked together, like this
her hand in mine, there was nothing better
after each walk, weather permitting, we'd stop and
sit down in the sand huddled, watching each sunrise and sunset

dusk is soon approaching, and as I walk this beach, reflecting
able to reconcile loss, it has to be , so i turn my head into
the biting winds once more, facing my unknown, alone, as the salted tears flow above the din, made of the wind and sea

for a moment i swear i can hear her laugh, or is it
the wind just playing tricks on me, I turn my back
from the wind and cold, to our usual spot in the sand
as I look around for anyone, there's nobody here but me


by Michael Perry