North Berwick Beach, for J.

In the crystal sunlight
Sea spray laughter sprays the air
Eyes squinting in the salt drop rain.

Cloudless flightful dance of
Fleeting sand-tossed feet wind-filled,
The northern pale blue lights your face.

Skipping splashing breaking
Cold glass tops of sea-left pools:
The impudence of innocence.

Ancient sandbuilt ripples
Endless change - old, still and same,
My adult step where once the child

Ran free in careless air.
Remembered steps, my child’s speed
Breaks blithely through the sands of time.