the ocean wins

you wrestle with the ocean.
the ocean
wins, you limp out of the waves
towards your towel
which has baked
itself flat
across the sand.
you stare at your knee,
salted
and swollen, stiff as
you walk carefully
around the cascade
of dunes
and families, couples
lying together in
the autumn sun. it's the last
day, so limping
is fine.
you can make it to
your room, you can order
in. you can get a bucket
of ice
and let the swelling
go down before the drive
home tomorrow.
still, you love the ocean,
you harbor no resentment
for mysterious
things.