Beach after Ike

Went out to High Island with Amy, Ken and kids on weekend. Soooooo  strange to see dunes gone and beach skirting the road. Terrible what nature can do. Ike was a real monster. 

Walking the sand. kicking at tangles

of slimy seaweed,

my plastic grocery bag in hand

scouting as always for bits of shells-

I feel like an archaeologist

of recent history 

uncovering strange treasures

not so long decayed

A high-heeled red shoe, ratty toothbrush,

baby blocks gnarled by surf

all the debris of daily life swept

away

Deposits 

in the banks of asphalt

where years ago another storm 

took out Highway 87