She would have missed a treat.

She would have missed a treat.

You stand beneath a bower

It tumbles haphazardly,

Heavy leaves splintering the sun

The shadows dance with envy

For the brightness

Of angels

You are effortless

Uniquely proportioned

Finely drawn.

Marionettes play

Beach sports

Runners and riders

Flow by

The foreshore is a seaside

Jungle

A Punch and Judy show.

There is always somebody

Aiming to bounce

Off my shoulder

Bowl me over

You are one step ahead

Fiercely driven.

A fire crew

Runs into a building

On the corner

There is no smoke

But women of a certain age

Stand by

With lust in their eye.

The allure of a uniform

Youth’s sweet scent

The vigour of hot flesh.

I see no fire

Other than the light

Of hope

For a second chance

A lusty romance

With a brooding hero.

Not you,

I see you slip away

Heading across the sand

Striding into the sea

Striking out

Into the deep.

You are a mermaid

There is nothing left to do

But to follow.

It is a wonder to behold

The ease with which

I switch

From dreaming to swimming,

Breaking waves.

The salty chill brings me back

Unto myself

In the midst of life

And I laugh

With the joy of release.