White Crest Beach

Grains of sand tangle our hair

as the ocean advances

up the beach behind our backs

and water invades the inlets

between our toes. I roll over

and you kiss the salt

off my lips, your head looming above

eclipses the sun; your blond hair

shades my face. I see your mouth curl:

pearl necklace on display.

When you pull away, shafts of light

shutter my eyes and my skin

offers the annual cellular sacrifice:

small price for this bliss.