Shore
(Turkish coast, January 2016)
Not stone, among stones,
a beach of clunkers sea-smoothed, kidney-
sized, head-sized, chest-sized, and some
small enough to fit in the palm
of the hand. Sea water wrinkles
the lapsing edge. Each stone
clasps a shadow twin. Waves
gentle now, lick stone. Spittle
glare. The ancient, piratical
sea. Not stone, the stiff
curled fingers, creased jacket, small
bare foot, the striped knitted
hat covering the face we
cannot, do not
want to see.
