Mark Lee Webb

Dad’s colliding with the sky

again        a pelican

black wing tips crash-diving mirrors

while my sisters tread sand

Mom is turning

into tossed-aside saltwater taffy

and boardwalk dogs run loose no leash

hold the sauerkraut hold the mustard

hold the cheese        hold the summer

too late        try to swim        swim again       

        I get it        all groupers are born

females        on bad days the ocean is the enemy

and there’s a reason leaving at noon

for shade and a cold Pepsi

might lose our spot 

or something        after all

this is the beach

        and hard