Philip F. Clark: A Walk on Ferry Beach, Maine

What a December—with its hot surprise!

The stretch of beach alive with a fat sun, like an eye,

as we strolled, dogs running to the water’s edge—

feeling that same strange change of time.

The dune grasses green as we stretched there,

and the water shone like white glass bones.

Trees spotted with deep red berries gleamed

as we, astonished, strode by their electric kingdoms.

Brine-crackled birds rush over the moorings;

the air was filled with the hope of the

hesitant, not sure of its sudden new heat.

We sat, watched, and simply lifted our faces.

What else could one do but give thanks? You laughed,

and I turned to you, at some joke we shared and I saw

winter ease its hand, filling you with a grace

of something close to the sun you were dressed in.

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Copyright 2017 Philip F. Clark. From The Carnival of Affection (Sibling Rivalry Press). Included in Vox Populi by permission of the author.