footprints

walking along the beach
in my dreams,
I see two sets of footprints -
of friends walking side by side,
of lovers holding hands,
of parents clutching little fingers,
of humans daring to dream,
until a feisty wave
washes across
the embossed sand,
opening my eyes
to the smarting salt on skin,
and the starkness of this body
walking alone with the sunset.

there are not even
angels and gods
carrying this heart of sand,
walking into itself
in every breath
without a trace.