We both smiled
seeing a child in the sand
I asked,
Do you think God loves us?
She turned towards the water
and spoke about silt on the ocean floor
explained why it is so soft
under our feet
and why some people cannot swim
after a long pause
we spoke about the enemy,
how they poured mercury into our oceans,
and children fly plastic bags with strings
because there are no kites,
only inflation.
I looked over to where the child was playing
or building a home,
a pyramid half-finished and withering,
she dipped into the earth
and cupped a handful,
let the grains fall as the wind flew
and the sun left us for tomorrow.