Johann de Lange » Beach-side Essay

Beach-side

Johann de Lange

1.

Not the plump plenty

of the peninsula: fruit

sun-preserved & bugle-round, evaginated,

the deep, sink-in-green of lawn

or the colourul conversations

of flowerbeds all year long

with small variations

on the four seasons. No,

here everything is stingier: purple

sour figs, pomegranates, & quinces

share their sweetness more thriftily:

not a juicy cloying sweetness,

but tougher, more precious,

perfectly suited to the softness of the surf/salty surf.2.

Under your soles continually sand

& a brittle, crackling carpet

of kindling, leafs, seed husks, bark.