waiting

i saw a business man on the beach settle down to his desk

i saw a business man on the beach

settle down to his desk

shined shoes reflect the sun

and made sand impressions

he lifted his briefcase—a computer,

and the waves licked his soles.

he typed, sipped his coffee

the waters lapped at his upper ankle.

he wrote and took a breath

coughed, and spilled his coffee onto the water.

the sun lowered,

the cold wind picked up

and the waters gathered at his waist.

i watched him type and sit

until the ocean waves crashed in

and he was lost from sight

i watched until the waters’ sun recede

he was gone.