On the Sand

I wrote “I love you,” on the sand,

     Beside the ocean rolling;

A maiden, parasol in hand,

     Came beachward lightly strolling.

She stopped and read the magic line,

     Then added something to it;

My heart beat wildly to define –

     Her answer, and she knew it.

The carelessly she strolled away

     Beside the lisping ocean;

I hurried where the message lay,

     My heart in wild commotion.

Ah, what would her sweet answer be?

     I shook with expectation;

She threw a look or two at me,

     I thought, in admiration.

Upon the white and glistening sand,

     Beneath my message burning,

She’s written in a girlish hand,

     Three words my ardor spurning.

I wrote “I love you,” plain as day,

     And here is how she met it:

(Just like a mean girl, anyway)

     “I love you!”

     “O forget it.”

c. June 24, ’09