is it husband’s spirit
comfort to bring
small grey fantail
darts swiftly, springs?

spreads tail wide
and hops around
just a few feet
above the ground

tiny twitter
nervous and flighty
does not rest long
quick and sprightly

overweight family
strolls in shallows
mother stubs toe
in pain wallows

ring son at home
still feeling upset
sad and lonely
cannot forget

memories of time
when still family of four
walking and swimming
playing on shore

kids built castles
of drizzled sand
decorated with shells
bodies sun-tanned

sailed in Mirror
by friends on loan
yellow boat, red sails
manoeuvres shown

Westernport Yacht Club
still has sailing school
groups of children
learn ropes and rules

orange rubber dinghy
always at ready
if practice boat capsizes
will rescue and steady

sole fisherman
wanders back home
whiting for lunch
filleted bones

smell of salt
wave motion heard
feather on dry seaweed
from gull or other bird

footprints of all sizes
different patterned soles
others have walked here
left imprint holes

gentle cool breeze
grey cloud cover
plaintive cry
of distant plover

friends walk to Coolart
nature swamp land
soon back for lunch
will give helping hand

time now to leave
brown-red rocky point
playground for crabs
and anemones’ haunt

brief swim and shower
then salad with bread
read book for while
or rest on camp bed