2024-04-15 beach

sharp stones prick at soles
wincing and tolerant
for to swim in the ocean
you have to walk across the beach 

the current swells and subsides
while toes graze sandy carpet 

pretending it’s not too cold
that you didn’t gasp
that it’s any colour other 
than rancid sewage brown 

fairground music on the breeze
swallowed by trickling fullness
as cold fingers grasp your ears 
and dare you to loosen your grip