Impressions of the Beach at Dusk

"A rush of birds
Rhythmic wash of the waves as they crash into the shore
Two lovers- newlyweds- arms around each other
Sweet kisses that everyone can see
Her in white, him in black
Both with flip-flops, of course
He leads the way up the stairs and into the hotel
We know what happens tonight
A lonesome bird in black drifts above them
Riding a current of air
I am a peeping tom from my ninth-story perch
The shadows grow and devour the golden sand
People disperse to dinner and bed and other nighttime activities
A chilly breeze stirs the strands of my hair
Above the bars stands nothing but sea and sky
Hazy, late-afternoon clouds seem to lie still
As if in wait
The sound of breaking waves is the ticking of a clock
My clock
Constant, ceaseless, incessant
I wait too
Sadness flits briefly across my blank face
A stolen last kiss, unknowing goodbye
For a moment I feel
Warmth and stability and care of another
For another
Looking down at the beach, it fades
Just like the footprints of children
The endless pounding of time
All that remains is blank and featureless
And wet."