Warp and weft

From ridge to ridge is a four year old’s stride
from furrow to furrow the same.

She weaves the warp and weft of beach
sand hops, counts one, two, three, four

then turns towards the setting sun,
five, six, seven, eight.

Her rainbow boots reflect retreating streams
which thread past sculptured ripples on the strand.

She sews sea fabric, tacks and hems her world
while overhead a seagull imitates

by stitching clouds, criss crossing mackerel skies,
swoops and soars, embroiders wisps of dusk

flies landward silhouetted to its roost,
looks out, then up, the out to sea and sleep.