The Sea

The sea nipping at my heels,

followed my footsteps across the

vast flat sand, erasing them.

It stalked me, waiting until I turned

to dash up, and, spuming, run across my feet

foaming and sputtering.

I turned, watched as it

receded, laughing and flurrying sand

while sea gulls laughed, also,

stalking clams and gorging on garbage,

wheeling through the sky,

they are disgusting and elegant,

the red strip on their bills

beckoning.