Storm clouds bank black

touch harbour wall, houses

curved like a Queen’s coronet

under denim sky: I turn my head

sea falls flecked with white horse crest

they snake across the bay.

Dog is blown by weight of sea

her ears akimbo sand chafing soft membrane

& you & I lean against the world

cheeks tinged by raw sting of storm salt.

Half the planet sleeps, I call on

water nymphs tree dryad

return it all to pristine emptiness

black banked cloud, onshore swell

tidal turn flicked by the moon.