Arial

In the sun she lies alone,

the moving tide reaches out,

to bathe her delicate toes,

a warm caress before the gentle retreat.

The beach is empty of all human life

No man or woman or child

treads on the hot, grainy sand.

She will not be interrupted.

Birds swoop and swerve above

and around her heated body,

barely paying her their attention,

as the business of their day carries on.

As the tide moves in, her feet twitch,

one spasmodic jerk is enough

to rouse her from the deepest sleep,

that she has ever had in life.

She stretches out upon the sand,

rolling lazily then rising,

head turning and hair swinging

to watch the steadily encroaching water.

Her time is coming to an end

and her breath catches in her throat.

No longer can she stay,

and enjoy the pleasures of the land.

With shoulders loose but back straightened,

She slowly walks into the sea,

waters rising to eagerly greet her

and embrace her naked form.

With the waters rolling at her hips,

she casts one look back

to the sun baked land,

head inclined in polite farewell.

In one, sudden motion,

she dives headfirst into the waves.

Where before there were shapely legs,

now there are powerful fins,

and with a quiet, slapping sound;

they, and she, disappear.