What she left behind

There was the leaf

tucked behind the string
on the kayak

that she had found on one of her kayak trips
and placed under the string

never thinking
that this would also be something

that we would find
months later

and touch it lightly

knowing that she had also touched this leaf


this leaf

this tiny fragile leaf


that somehow is still here

the cove

In the morning, 
the ocean was gone.

I walk on the mud, the rocks,

waiting for the tide to come

to fill up the cove once again.

If I rest on the muddy bed,

will I wake again 
at once floating, 
at once drenched

Will I ever see it fill and wane,

or is everything just

here

gone

here

gone