I Shall Live by the Ocean

I shall live by the ocean and walk a sandy shore.
And there shall I find a long boardwalk
with benches worn rough, and toddlers
dripping ice cream and seagulls divebombing
elephant ears on paper plates.
Sandpipers on spindle-legs dare the waves.
Lost car keys, found, and red crabs burrow down.
A good dog at my side, shaking off, ready to go.
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             Children, when it’s time,​
             will you find for me​
             a headstone crumbling,​
             my name already faded?​
             Visitors will wonder​
             at such a dusty grave, so dark​
             yet lush with honeysuckle.​
             How beautiful that shall be​
             and so fine,​
             so far from the sea.​