Clouds lower from steel sky and spit rains upon the beach.

Waves tease broken clam shells, seaweed, Coke bottle, a lobster pot

Herring gulls hide among the boulders.

A Gloucester crone pokes along the sand.

A weathered oar steadies her step.

Cropped hair sets off her burnished neck.

Leather belt cinches layers of sweaters, flapping trousers.

A walking Giacometti sculpture.

She pauses, turns toward the horizon, traces a circle on wet sands.

Fills it with squiggles: her morning greeting to the Goddess.

Her ritual complete, the crone slopes ahead.

Listens for the next whisper.

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