low tides

Today we spent a few hours in the ocean,
and on the sand, and in the mud, drenched in sun
wading in the surf, stepping on clams and chirping
whenever small flathead fish darted into our feet.
we oogled dogs of all sizes, and fish and birds and crabs.
the salty ocean air smelled fresh and sweet
as it passed us over on it's westerly breeze.
we observed life, in it's active energies and in it's absence
we observed death, drenched in sunlight.