6 short word-paintings of Nahoon Beach

1

The sea-struck rocks

attacked

fight back,

their faces full of spears;

2

stunted trees

along the boardwalk

braced together

despite the bite of salt;

3

three wistful collies stand

at water’s edge in row of order

watching children roar and bounce

on breakers with their belly-boards;

4

a full-bearded surfer heads

towards six others in the milky green,

bobbing – one gliding through applause of foam,

then tossed up like an embryo;

5

the hazy midday sun’s reflection

in wet sand

is haloed in old gold,

then claimed by the tide;

6

and the wind

at my neck

streaks like Usain Bolt

with only one goal: speed.

– Silke Heiss