Colin Bell
Seaside

Tide
out.
Alone.
A small child,
feet free on Moon sand.
The stranger friendly and funny.
Great Aunt Lily, on sentry duty, by the sea wall.
She shouts 'teatime' but it's too soon.
Why is she angry?
'Never talk
to men
like
that.'

Like
what?
Smiling?
Skinny thin?
With a thick moustache?
Wearing a polo neck sweater?
In black city shoes, his hands in tight trouser pockets?
Great Aunt Lily knows everything.
What was it she saw?
He was nice.
Funny
he
ran.