Labor Day

the ocean called for me
this morning
her wet hands longing
and desperate
collapsing on the
shore,
her voice
still sweetly hushed
though tinged now
with loss
as she gasped
her last breath
of summer,
wishing
another sun
would tan
her spiked back
with sequin
necklaces

eager for
attachment
she spread
her webbed fingers,
surrounding me,
imprisoning
my ankles,
willing me closer,
her tongues
a friendly dog,
her kisses
kind gestures of
affection,
her sadness
wordless and
warm,
begging
as she was
for me to stay
if just
a moment’s reward,
the final
remains
of a
fairy tale
that was

but I
could only offer
my footprints
as they made
their way
one final time
back over the dunes