Late Summer, Barnegat Light

by Gerald McCarthy

She is looking
for something
in the sand,
this child
pulling
at dried
seaweed
and shells
until
she almost
leans
into the wind,
unafraid
to sit there,
sifting
unafraid at what
she might
uncover —
as her mother
slides a slice
of peach
into her daughter’s
open mouth
            and the girl
turns
toward
the sea —
waves cresting
this day full
         with its
sweetness
            of peaches.