We sat on the beach.
The tide licked our feet.
Our arms set slightly behind us
propped us upright.
We sat close enough
to converse—not touch.
We listened.
The waves drew off anxiety
as they receded
to gather themselves
for another go
at splashing our knees.
An unattended dog
investigated us
She sniffed our salt-spay skin
then attempted to burrow
her head under my arm
then your arm.
The dog moved on
to children up the beach—
Godzilla to their sandcastle.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 