X What counts

Later, some will say she walked
the beach mile from town, brought

herself to rest against the low dune
and knowing her time was done

waited, watching the horizon until
the sun left the shore, her heart stilled.

Others, hearing talk of tracks
covered by sand, or of her lover that

came from the wrong side of town,
will start rumours, call foul

and spread gossip - about him who was
spotted on the lane, starting a car as

if he'd stole it, about the one seen
laughing, running toward the pier.

And when asked to take the oath
(I will be) I will tell the whole

truth: about how a corpse is a corpse;
about how there should be a law

against sand, against dune,
against stilled, against sun;

about what some say about close,
about hand grenades, about horseshoes.