Beach

Waves rolling in

Frothy white

Bringing scuttling, digging sand fleas

Receding, taking sand and shells

Crabs scuttle to and fro

As sandpipers eagerly chase

Seagulls swoop to nab tossed bits of food

As pelicans dive for dinner

Small siblings, boy and girl, build sand castle

Bucket and plastic shovel tools of the trade

Scooping a moat crossed by drawbridge

As parents observe, praising architectural skill

Couples walk along the water’s edge, hand in hand

Swimmers play, splash, dive

Rising and falling with each incoming breaker

A frisbee flashes past

Chased by a happily romping dog

As two young athletes toss a football

Laughing as a volleyball player dives to the sand

A surfboard crests a wave, its rider surfacing next

Young woman leans forward as her boyfriend applies lotion

Rubbing it gently into sun warmed shoulders

Spread blankets dotted with towels, coolers, watches, keys

Beach chairs occupied by persons tanning in the rays

A colorful riot of swim suits

A shifting rainbow, undulating to and fro

Bikinis, one pieces, shorts, speedos

Fishermen casting rods

Children running

Elderly ladies in sun hats

Elderly men smiling wistfully at happy grandchildren

Unselfconsciously delighting in nature’s gifts

Wind, water, sun, sand, people, animals

Looking up as sun is momentarily shrouded by a cloud

Sighing, I pick up my book

Departing one fantasy for another

Content that observant lifeguard shall oversee