He moves toward the water

         with proud steps conquering the sand.

                  Linked to him, she tries to balance her body

                           with the prize she expects to deliver in a few weeks.

They discard bike helmets and keys

like sand filled weathered skulls and teeth

next to feetless shoes shrouded in towels.

The abused stainless steel

of the sky and water is punctuated

only by the waves’ churning conversation.

His handholding bond with her breaks

where the water heckles their ankles

with pebbles and broken shells brought

as an offering to the shore.

He assaults each surge chest first

         his wrestling arms demanding submission.

                           She enters the water as a negotiation, turning

                                    her swollen body hip first as a request

                                    to the power that lurches toward her.

Suddenly she is backwards submerged    appearing

submerged       appearing.

An overladen boat unable to right itself.

He beats an awkward path to her

         wanting his enemies to now be his allies.

                           As an apology the current lifts her

                                    upright in shallow water.

Still shoulder deep, he calls to her surrounded

         by the white cap spray of warriors continuing the battle.

Grabbed by the wind’s boney fingers

she moves away from the water hearing

only a crow’s warning screech.