Unbidden

by JEANNIE HAUGHTON

Briny                        the air
tanging the tongue misting the eyes
under sombre skies the stones
on the waterline roll-rest-roll-rest-roll-rest
hightide treasures pocketed
parched-pale
til wave-slapped
a palmed pebble is magically reborn
recalling nurimono
that other sheen in that other place
where the sun dips low
this time of year
airborne gull cries pierce
cherry blossom doldrums

still startling
her flight all those years ago
the silent spill of
a single tear