Passing

One morning early
I saw him go,
Alone I watched
Him tracing steps
Along the musseled shore;

Turning he half looked
And looked away again,
Head bowed he sniffed
The salty wind, stumbled
And blinked back a tear,

Years of silence hurried him on
Until he reached the tree,
Where two ocean giants tussle,
And stooped to grab at the branches.

Valerie Fox