Summer Surprise

Whitecaps rumble

and roll,

the ocean

is the loudest

voice by far

on the beach today.

And even when

an occasional high splash

rises up,

it is gathered up,

and forced

forward

toward the shore...

Where people wait

and watch,

barefoot yet bundled

building sculptures

in the warm sand.

Storm's coming, they say.

Kids and kites

and frisbees too

all tethered

to this wild wind.

But even as grey clouds

gather in the east,

their swirls

are still unformed

and undecided.

And then: Look!

Over there...

in the far-off distance--

a glimmer,

a ray,

and a hint of blue.

A surprise,

a smile...

a letting go.

That storm

blows off,

the beach

fills up,

and swimmers take

their places

along the shore

once more.