children on the shore

with strawed drinks
at their pursed
lips
the mothers,
from chairs sunk
deep into the sand,
umbrella made
shade holding them
in place, like
mushrooms
planted,
bark instructions
to the children
of what to do, what
not to do
as they run
towards the open
arms of crashing
waves. throwing
themselves at
the perilous
world of an ocean
not yet stepped
into. already
knowing that
that world may be
better than the one
that sits behind them.