We walked through fog
to water nudging the land’s edge.
Across the cove
one resonant goose calls.
Nearer to shore
one soaring gull caws.
We are silent.
Gray surrounds us,
sky, water, rocks, birds, and sand,
a somber color
breached only by the scarlet flush of her wool coat
its black velvet color soft against her delicate skin.
One tiny hand warms in mine,
one clutches the corner of a loved-worn blanket.
She leans into my side.
We are silent.
Only the restless water sighs.
