“They sentenced me to 20 yrs of boredom
For trying to change the system from within”   L. Cohen

After all the posturing was over
And the last attempts at honesty passed away
He saw the victims of the system heading out to sea
Coral wreaths held them
Their eyes shone like stars in the waters

Crawling on the beach,
His last strength flowing out with the tide
He saw the faces of broken-hearted children,
Jealous lovers, sadistic losers, failed prophets and criminal con-men
All crying for another chance
Another ride on the roller coaster

After a time, their cries became the sounds of gulls
A new morning beginning to brighten the waters
Now he lay on his side, trying to breathe
Almost asleep when he first saw her

Bare footed, she was wearing something white or gold
Floating around her
She seemed to be laughing
Every step she took left a brief shining print on the sand
At first, he didn’t think she’d notice him
Just another piece of tidal wreckage
But then
She was there
Her arms around him
And he fell asleep in the warmth of the sun