The water is green

Like a spring dress

Along the shore

Further out in the bay it’s dark blue

God’s absolute best

The clouds are on tour: cumulonimbus, cirrus, stratus

His arms reach out here

Surely he’s not mad at us

Overhead, white pelicans

On the gray jetties, dark-coated double breasted cormorants

A golden river otter appears

I tell him “go get the ball” and he obeys

100 pounds buoyant in the waves

Those puppy paws stroke, so effortless

Pure enjoyment

The wind off the Chesapeake strikes my cheeks

It’s cold

But the sunlight hits me too

This beach is unique

Time marches on but this place makes me new

I think of the last 10 years, 15 even

On a beautiful March day this place is empty

Have I been dreaming

The beige sand, the white shells under my running shoes

I stare at this beach painting

I say my prayers

Taste the salt

Hear the gulls

Feel God’s presence

And I’m renewed