The rain made patterns
of the sand that fell
from people’s shoes
as they left the beach
and climbed the ramp
up to the bridge over the tracks

The sand streamed down
in branching, braiding paths,
dark gray against the tawny pavement —
A thing I hadn’t thought to look for,
surprised to have noticed it
in a fleeting random glance, heading home
while the billowed sky hung close,
releasing its wetness,
soft and persistent,
into the very dark day.

©Wendy Mulhern
January 5, 2014