He was standing unaware of the waves
that pulsated throughout the shoreline.
He was unaware as they crashed into themselves,
persuaded by the wind howling down on them
silently from the south, pushing them forward
into the shores where they shared themselves
on his flesh.

 

He was standing unaware of the waves
though watching them foam and ripple
like worms beneath the skin of the ocean,
short and grubby, quick like tremors
carrying the dead fish ashore to
defrost in the sun at dusk,
pink and orange, like fire,
like a mirage behind him,
waiting for him to stop
and look and for once
pay attention.