Sand

grit beneath my feet,

my nails.

Quiet rush,

push-pull, hush

crash

surf sneaking, slipping.

Shells turn over under its touch

watch them go

flip turn tap

clink against pebbles, stones

broken, whole, worn

easy in the palm of a hand

smooth.

Sink in

knocked back, dipped down

wash, salt stung

float.

Too deep, no foothold

freefall

stare up at the sky

different blue, warm blue

shut your eyes against the glare

tang on my lips,

alkaline

tastes like home.