La Playa

Let's go to the beach
and play in the white sand.
The pelicans, miracles of paleontology,
circle overhead looking for belly-food.
The smell of salt and sulfur mix together
and cause children to crinkle their noses.
The sea, calm, voluptuous, angry,
likes to take care of the earth and sky.

Let's go to the beach
and eat sandwiches made by the babysitter.
The sun, round and free,
lays paint down that gets under the skin.
We swim in water meant for other animals
and wonder why we left it so many years ago.
People walk around in special suits
to cover and uncover themselves.

Let's go to the beach
and watch the sun hit the sea in the face.
Boats circle the Earth with sails
housing explorers and drinkers.
Doldrums make us spit sand
and shake it from our hair.
Parasols and towels cover the sand
distracting crabs and centipedes.

Let's go the beach
and understand the edge of the world.
Underwater volcanoes and sharks
provide calamity and legends.
Little children make castles
out of moisture and rock.
We need buckets and balls
to keep us occupied.