Pacific Beach (San Diego)


from the ABC set Random Bytes (1988- 2001)

Footprints fade.
Sand depth lifts beneath
the peeled paint facade,
The veranda flags smooth long soft planes,
Flies swarm in warm heavy air.
This is a moonlight betrayal

Forsaken thecan, the beer beach party
reveling in fire spark.
Dark sliced within humidity.
Fearless we stand (brine caress sand).
Saline my sailor's heart and yearning.

Yet longing drifts; the plum-red juice,
the ocean stained;
strained a lonely cry; the gulls.
So desire quenched the fire
we can now bear.
Heat retreat with fierce glare.
Sunset kisses scars and
tonight I float on dreamless sleep.

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