After The Storm

Sand between her toes,

rubbing and peeling on her cold skin.

Limbs stiff and numb,

she tries to move, to get up.

Sand in her hair,

salty seaweed and shells, too.

She walks over the wet stones,

slowly, carefully, avoiding the shards,

wind in her face and the sea in her eyes,

dripping still of salty seawater,

but knowing...

After the storm she has to get up.

First published here.