I walked reluctant on the beach.
I did not want to go but went to keep the peace.
The water was greener than I had ever seen it,
green as Marram grass, green as Toby's eyes,
an absent absinthe, a much missed moggy.
Recent full moon had raked up sand on shore
created middens of broken shell, discarded stones.
I picked up a perfect black spiralled cone,
something like a Batillaria but unknown to me,
small hermit crab had hosted it.
Delicate segmented feet curled over dark lip
having grown till there was no-where left to go.
Know how you feel, mate.
There was a severed shark head resting
beyond reach of surf's questing fingers,
the eyes were rolled back as if last thought
had been - Who's hacking back there?

Who's hacking back there?
Well, more on that, maybe later.