Tidal Pull

small trumpeter waves wash ashore the sea grins with ease children scamper on the beach like search lights that never rest in one place buoyant surf beckons, gravitational pull to choppy splashes skin bronzed children rush the waves, an explosion of liberation their squeals to rival passing gulls theatrics to run in and out of cold as hot rays of sun melt reserve instant sheen of glee till frozen toes dig into warming sand childhood innocence pristine like polished shells on a shelf in pink-white shades spiraled secrets of the surf spilling ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ safe ashore soothing presence adults watching the fresh faced playfulness aged side-step from currents' undertow to sense risk from surf surges that toss one to the beach lives in a rising swell wounds of immersion the burden of seasons July's brooding heat of sentiment to recall untroubled times a tide into memory when memory resists waves like castles fortified in sand till gulped by the sea Poem composed: June 9/2022 Revised December 19th/2022