As It Was

I could go back along the clouded path

in my sleep or blindfolded. I’d know the way

we always walked in summer,

follow the familiar rite of shoe removal

when I reached the brook

before the sands. But there’s no sea

in sight, the sky’s closed down.

A hood is pulled over the coast,

rocks are caped and furred

in white, dense and wet with light.

Ahead the boys and Chrissie slide

into the nebula. Nothing’s as it was.