A WALK ALONG THE BEACH

3

One day I chanced to walk along A lonely stretch of beach,

The world at hand was sand and sea As far as my sight could reach; Then a laugh rang out like a joyous tune

From behind a towering dune. With careful steps I climbed the dune To see who'd made the cry,

And peering through the wiry grass Two young men I did spy.

And as I watched them lying there

I saw their bodies bare.

The one was blond and like a god From Greece he seemed to me, The other dark and curly-haired And just as fair was he.

Then I turned away quite red of face

As fondly they embraced.

Quite furtively I slipped away,

And wandered down the beach,

Sad because a love so free

Was far beyond my reach;

For they were young, unfettered, free,

And not afraid like me.

Jim Ploss

25