High Tide

Waves curled and dumped
Stones of water on the beach.
The tide was high and calm
Pushing at the jetsam line
Blue and orange hawser rope
Entangled with seaweed and tar
Stone-washed wood, sun-bleached
Now gathered by the open fire.
Seagulls whirled and screamed.

She lay on the hot white sand
Bikini skimp, curved and brown
Raven hair tumbling down.
He thin and angular sat
Cross-legged with pan of fish
Sizzling on the blackened grid.

Martin Delemare

9th May 2006