Long Beach, Plymouth

I have beheld Cassiopeia floating above the point

when a lighthouse beam swept in my direction with a flash,

and the dint of my footstep glowed phosphorescent

on the dark, low-tide sand.

I have witnessed meteors burning across the sky,

waded in sunrise shallows probing for heavy clams,

and breakfasted with song sparrows

and the perfume of the wild beach rose. 

I have known nights when bay and harbor

were wild with lightning and torrents of thunder

and wakened to the quiet of a

pastel dawn.

I have supped while northern harriers

glided low over grassy dunes,

been visited by rabbits, acquainted with foxes,

and set upon by diving terns.

I have stepped gently past rare piping plovers nesting near the path,

harvested beach plums and sea lavender,

and played with happy children

under the summer sun.