The sea
blue-grey and empty
its surface placid today
hiding its formerly angry face
beneath a smooth glassy skin.

For me, it is a monster,
its great blue belly waiting for something to swallow,
waiting for me to swallow.
Though I am no more than a fleshy drop of bone in its great watery maw,
I am sure it has got a taste for me.

Safe in the rocky hands of the beach
I can feel it smile
it has cold and terrible smile
white caps shining like teeth in the sun.

It is waiting, and the sea is as patient as God.

AcB 12.31.00