Contrary to what I expected

            Susan stopped halfway down

            The stairs to watch the sea

            And the seagulls diving in the surf

            For perch and the sun glinting

            Off the wave-tops right before

            They succumbed in confusion

            To a contrary tide.

            Her smile turned to a frown

            As she looked down into

            Its gritty churning

            And then to the rest

            Of the stair-steps

            Bent as she was toward

            Lying in the sand.

            I was once caught

            In such a tide.

            My first wife, Karen, watched

            As I waved for help

            Not taking me seriously.

            I had to go back out

            To sea to find another way;

            Which is what I've learned

            Thus far watching Susan smile

            At children chasing each other

            With sea-weed pods

            And digging in the wet

            Sand to hold up handfuls

            To passing gulls.