Break
by Shannon P. Laws
Today the sea is rough
A short dark log bobs offshore
It makes little effort to head in
Against its indifference the waves
push it towards the rocky beach
Swallows divebomb my head
Mistaking my daydream for a
gnat or annoying mosquito
Weeds are allowed to mature
on this bank, no one tends them
To the tallest thistle, I remind you
once—when I was young and barefoot
you pricked me. You were small
green and leafy, welcoming curious flesh
Now you are a proud purple war club
glorious crowns mark your victories
The log is almost to shore
and my break is over
shannon p. laws 