Jean Linville
wishing on a wave

September 2 - September 7
froth-tinged waves
wash in
wash out
depositing, then taking
bits of stone and shell
sometimes rolling glistening gifts of
moonsnails up onto the beach
I wish I could ask the slippersnails stuck
tightly onto an old channeled whelk
to tuck the golden light and warmth of
these days filled with summer yet
hinting of fall into their shells for
safe keeping until a cold winter's day