The sea has purged itself
spewing the beach with its dead.
We wade out into a grave
of colours from another world.
Myths once hidden in mermaids’
purses seep into sand.
High shored sea slugs weep.
Star fish crackle under sea cabbages.
Nothing scuttles back.
The sea has pulled itself nearer the moon
clenched in recovery.
Soon all will be bone dry.
You walk in silence, holding in
secrets lest they might leave
dark tendrils along the shore
gasping for air.
First published in Artemis May (2021)