Sweet Grace of Solitude

Twilight, and the ocean breaks

Over my toes, my pale white toes,

Digging into the sopping sand,

Smooth against my wrinkled skin.

The saltwater gathers my tears,

Carries them out and out

To the ends of the earth,

Places human eyes have never seen.

I cradle my head on my arms,

My arms that shiver in the ocean breeze,

The breeze that whispers at my defenses

And cools me to my bones.

The moon comes out to smile,

Through my swollen eyes I cannot see

The smile nor the light reflected from its teeth.

I am alone in the open, facing eternity.