Between the Sun and the Snail Slime

Between the sun and the snail slime your
Laugh ran like a child down the beach

On my toes were flecks of sand and crab bone
Glistening like happy death and winking
Their light of constant longing

When the tide slid up behind us
I felt the answer to your perfect caring
The slippery chill pressing me to decide

If we were the light or the snail slime
The beginning or the end.