The End of What May Have Been Our Last Beach Walk in January

The rain made patterns

of the sand that fell

from people’s shoes

as they left the beach

and climbed the ramp

up to the bridge over the tracks

The sand streamed down

in branching, braiding paths,

dark gray against the tawny pavement —

A thing I hadn’t thought to look for,

surprised to have noticed it

in a fleeting random glance, heading home

while the billowed sky hung close,

releasing its wetness,

soft and persistent,

into the very dark day.

©Wendy Mulhern

January 5, 2014