Fresh Dawn rose from her bed of paling ocean

To bring daylight upon the wide sea shore.

The smell of lollipops and candy bars floats in the air

On the boardwalk where families stroll.

Last evening’s tides have receded.

I pressed on my bare feet to test the firmness of the sand

Easily found myself some companies

Striking up a casual conversation here and there.

I first met a young father

Holding the white arms of a baby girl

To lift her above white waves.

And she, with sunbright short hair

Eyes wide open

Took in a wide view of the ocean.

Laughing, clearly

Laughing, higher, as swayed toward waves…

I sent my greetings to the young dad, “What a fantastic day!”

He nodded at me, agreed.

I said hi to two little sisters

Who were plashing water, running

(panting but non-stopping)

As springs sprang forward.

When they set their minds on digging sand

How those small hands worked wonders to quickly make a pile!

And when they waved arms to throw it

Nothing seemed to be on their way that could obstruct

I hailed to them, “Good job!”

They replied me with happy laughers, resonated and resonating in the broad ocean air.

My eyes soon got caught by another little girl

She has long lithe neck,

Her curly hair glistens and glows as gold.

Perhaps conscious of her own liveliness–

She walked alone back and forth

Head leaning gently downward

When she danced (at an unattended moment)

She danced, absent-mindedly–

Her perfectly proportioned body

Turned slowly into dissected frames of a motion picture.

The delicate ruffles on her pink suit

Moved as a dream floating ashore with a breeze.

Even the sea looked softened, waves flattened

Shimmering like a seashell.

Once or twice, I located her figure

In the same frame as other kids

Seemed to mingle with them

Yet looked separate and remote–

More like an anchor point for them.

I dared not to speak a single word (but quietly wished her the best)–

What could I say to a spirit so divine?

As I turned seaward, and there!

My heart rejoiced at the sight of a teenager

(and her brothers)–

Face suntanned, dark hair wet

A bright yellow surfboard firm at hand

Eyes fastened straight ahead

Waiting, breathless, for new waves to surge

Then jumped in, smiled behind waves…

“There you go!” I waved at her thumps up.

Away from crowds in the shallow water

I met a young girl with long hair

In a blue shirt

Eyes upon her phone.

Waters came and retreated, circling around her ankles

Unnoticed;

Seagulls flew by, singing to her

Unheard.

A smooth full body stood still there but not there.

“Hey, why not look out to the sea?”

And look! Just a few steps away on the beach:

A robust figure shoot off

Turned and arrested in the air

Creating an intricate knotted form

Under the ocean’s wild gaze!

It is a girl of similar age.

The girl in blue shirt noticed me, and I watched her walk back to her folks.

I only ran into one small boy, quietly sitting there, building sand castles–

Completely absorbed in his work.

So, I left him alone to his work.

You see, boys do not waste time on some broken shells

(accidently flushed to the shore)

Or linger upon a small quiet pool on the shore

(casual gifts of the sea)

They rush to the sea.

Even as their gazes leaping–

From colors to colors on the seashore

Already moved on–

Back to the black and white waves

Where mermaids sing a luring song, to them…

Thus I walked on till dusk drew on

At a turning point of the shoreline

Somebody started talking

Gushing out words at my ear (in earnest):

Oh, girl…

Do not let your pretty dress hold you from going out to the sea

Even Aphrodite was once a fighter at Troy and a huntress in Carthage’s woods

Despite being told by father not to meddle in warfare.

And what use to dwell on some vague feelings or pale thought?

The sea is vast and rich, has many dimensions and depths!

Oh, girl…

You may forget the first time you experienced the ocean–

(because you were only a few months)

You were enchanted by its immensity;

Set your eyes on its far horizon.

But remember this day on the seaside:

You ran in full force and played free with your sister;

Cast your fist open to the open ocean

In such a gesture that

All the world looked within your reach!

How your young body performed acrobatic stunts

To shock the summer air!

And your strong torso surfed against tall waves

With your brother, as his peer.

(Girls, do you hear that too?)

Perplexed, I looked attentively–

A grey-eyed one has been walking on my side all day long

With a bronzeshot spear in hand!

I wanted to ask her–

So many men sailed for and fought in that ancient city, really because of Helen?

But wise Athena already slipped on her ambrosial, golden sandals

On the wings of the wind…