Solitary in winter

I find you on the beach

sleepbound.

 

I’ve walked some miles across this sand

wind knocking me back.

On my right the sea battles.

My hair lashes my face.

 

In this chaos of desolation

you are a concentrated essence

a nugget of pure exhaustion.

What lies behind your dreaming ruby eye?

 

The pressure of the sea

heavy as green glass encasing you

as you force yourself down

to where fish dart and crabs scuttle?

 

So solidly still,

so alive in your sleep.

Full fathoms deep in it!

 

You are so here

yet so elsewhere!

 

There’s a place on the internet

where I can hear you call.

I tune in when I can.

 

Your sound is loneliness.