the sea hog at noon

the sea hog at noon

cool blue, revealed
in waves asunder.
grey beard shingle
weeps toward an embrace,
the shifting water
rolls abroad;
the gentlest of marauders.

the sea hog, blunt nosed
and single finned,
pushes to the shallows,
sleek, mammalian head
interrupts the surface.

a sniff at brackish air -
taking in faces on the promenade,
hung heavy with a woe
only the working understand.

a kiss from the ocean,
the only diversion
that the day can provide.
before they fade once more,
resumed to the exterior.
shuttered each
behind their own door.

determined for the horizon,
the sea hog swims fast,
swims free.

for like all of us,
the sea hog, has seen
too much humanity.