The waves lay idle
against the sweltering shore.
The sun bathes the afternoon
in colors of gold and blue.
Little crabs scuttle to and fro
upon piles of golden sand,
uncontent in their wealth.
Clouds march on the horizon.
Dark Lords of the sky look down,
deep laughter and flashing eyes.
The warm sun tumbles into the sea.
The bitter breath of Lady Night
greets electric wrath.
A splitting crack excites the crabs,
the Dark Lords clap their hands.
Neon fingers grasp the Night
and pull her close.
They watch the mad dash below.
The sideways scuttlers seek cover
among the rocks and brine.
The Dark Lords prod Old Man Sea,
who raises up his head,
and seeing the hunt about to begin
howls a windy battle cry.
He races his white horse chariots
to beat against the dunes.
Lady Night shrieks in pleasure
as light crackles all around
and waves crash and roar.
Hours upon hours flash by
as the crabs huddle together
in the cracks of the humble earth.
As the Sea and the Night,
with the Dark Lords hovering between,
take out their passionate wrath
on the hapless creatures of the day.
Until exhausted, they recede
chuckling at the turmoil they have caused.
And the crabs are allowed to peek out,
and shudder in their shells,
and scurry across the golden sand,
uncontent in their wealth.