Last night it was dark when I arrived.

This morning it's dark when I awake.

Daylight comes and quickly enough

I exit the air conditioned hotel and walk

a mile and a half of city street to a favorite

beach. Strangely, people behave as if winter

could exist in this dreamy fantasy. Here and

there I pass a jogger (or walker, bundled

in jacket, hood and pants). From Venice pier

I stride along the surf toward the Santa Monica

ferris wheel, under playful puffballs of cloud.  

White against blue, blue against white make such

a cheerful canvas. I am a lighthearted, sandy footed

solitary figure caught in a spontaneous work of art.

All text and photos copyright Kelly DuMar 2017