SEASCAPE

By Jean Bush

Oh, how you loved it, puppy,

When first you saw the beach.

“Sit, stay, don’t dig the sand.”

I had so much to teach.

You barked and jumped and chased the crabs

And snapped at flying foam.

And fell asleep within my arms

As I gently walked you home.

We took long walks together,

As you splashed and jumped on me.

And the years and tides rolled into one

At our place beside the sea.

The dimming years would clutch my fears

As you unwound from life.

And I put you away and there you stay,

So far away from me.

The tide pulls back so slowly

As I weep on bended knee;

But I can feel you run forever

At our place beside the sea.