08/30/26 – Op Outside
Returned to the same place that I hurt my toe(s) as to redeem my prior visit
Tide high, early enough to find a sandy space to sit
Covered in sunscreen, mood to be still
For a little ocean wave, people watching thrill
At the top, yoga and a pregnancy photo shoot underway
At the bottom, a group… Spikeball at play
Guys diving into the ocean, no fear
Girls lingering at the water’s edge, near
A little girl with her bucket searching for shells and seaweed
Trash (for safety reasons), maybe not to touch, we agreed
Her mother did not talk to me, but her daughter had much to say
On repeat: she came to me with an object to show and then would run away
People started to swarm, time to set out
An hour or so for me was fairly good, no doubt
Still a little antsy, took a beach loop walk upon home return
Parking lot full, not surprised to learn
The day ended with a cold shower and a mission to watch the sunset
Hah, my brain just jumped to the day before when I learned the tennis term “let”
Anyways… the sun going down, I usually miss
As I am creeped out by walking alone in the dark, more survival mode than bliss
Many people gathered at the rocks where I opted to stand
A little early… had to exercise patience as I held my phone in my hand
Color spectacle before my eyes, too bright to directly stare
Loved the way the birds swooped in the air
A lifeguard from a yellow lifeguard boat yelled at kids, “Don’t jump off the rocks, that’s not safe” as they passed in the ocean
The kids were still jumping despite the stop motion
I thought about walking the beach without the sun
But decided I was tired and that I wasn’t in the mood to uphill run
Happy to be on foot as I watched the cars line up to depart
Weaved my way through the crowds back to my PCH start
Safe with a sunset kissed mind
Beauty today, one could say I did find
Simply Op 
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