LOST AT SEA.

A SEASIDE LOSS.

You remember now the sound of the sea,

The crashing of waves, the white and grey

Gulls in the sky. Mother said, don’t go too

Far out; keep an eye on the young ones.

The cold water made you hop about when

It first went over your bare feet. You knew

Where the young ones were, you could see

Them there at the water’s edge running in

And out as the cold water chased them.

The beach was crowded; the crowds seemed

To occupy each area with their deckchairs,

Windbreakers and towels spread on the sand.

The bright sun shone down heavily; the air

Was still. And Mother’s voice loudly shouting,

Where’s Baba? Where’s she gone? And the

Place she was with the others was without

Her presence now; the panic gripped you.

Your eyes scanned the beach and sea; you ran

Along the beach near the water’s edge gazing

Out at the wide expanse of ocean, ignoring the

Passing ships on the horizon, the sailing boats,

The far out swimmers, just looking for Baba,

Your eyes searching each face, each child, every

Little one running on the beach or out at sea out

Of reach. Mother came running down the beach

Towards you, her face red with effort, her mouth

Screaming out words carried off by the other

Sounds and the sea’s call, pointing out at ocean’s

Hold as a man came up and out of the waves,

Water dripping, eyes wide, and in his arms, Baba

Limp and her swaying head, hair hanging wet,

Seeming lost to you, small arms swinging, dead.