Afternoon

There was a moment
when the wave seemed to solidify
and in rolling across the sand
became a white lace curtain
tumbling to reveal a woman
salt streaked and almost sensual
sprawled on the foam edge

We were children out of school
mermaids were to be expected.
The shore was full of treasures
like seaweed, shells, or the small grey crabs.
One day my brother found a starfish.
He poked it with a stick
but they would not let us take it home.