I waited until late afternoon
when the chill returned to the shore
the tide was part way out.
It had been mild earlier, a teasing of summer. But I knew that was
weeks away and morned the loss of it. I would
not be there. Would it be as lovely in Missouri?
The sand was firm under my feet. I searched for a perfect mussel
shell newly left by the day's tide. But I found a large sand dollar first.
The creature inside was long dea and the dollar was bleached
grey by the salt water. I placed it in my pocket.
