The Sea

Waves of icy water thunder over the rocks,
spraying crystal droplets into the air,
fanning out over their smooth backs.

A creeping veil of glass slides up the pale, damp sand,
shifting layers of broken shell higher on the rise
before dragging them back into the roiling grey.

Pounding, rushing,
the water ebbs and flows in a constant heartbeat
as the sultry air whips over the waves.

Dry grass stems rustle beneath the craggy cliff,
rasping their papery stalks together
as their tufted heads shake,
rattling the seeds within.

High above,
a lonely seabird’s cry mingles with the rushing,
breaking on its single mournful note as the great wings
send it wheeling off into the distance.

Rolling, thundering,
the waves continue to crash upon the rocks,
pounding their cold, empty hearts against the sand.

Reaching frigid, wet fingers toward the rustling grasses
before falling back,
tossing ceaselessly amid the rolling grey,
mustering their strength to try again.