Although the day was hot I could feel the summer drawing to a close

The trees and bushes were beginning to display a brittle tiredness

And the sea grasses looked dull in the low light of the afternoon

From the coastal path I could see that the tide had retreated

Leaving the wide expanses of damp sand to dry slowly in the sun

 

I did not have the beach totally to myself as I might have wished

But the nearest person was so far away as not to disturb me

I removed my footwear and walked slowly towards the sea

The nearest of the sea birds flew gently into the breeze

And headed towards the golf course without protest

 

In a few short months I would be unable to repeat this walk

As the sea would be venting its rich winters fury

The sands would be treacherous and the wind ice white

But for the present I let the summers gentle touch caress my feet

As I walked in her shallows without opposition

 

 

Sandwich Bay

August 26th 2019