Brighton Beach

I remember summer mornings
at Brighton Beach

6am swims

beneath an icy sky
joined by

the sun and moon

like parents divorced
coming together

for school plays

and birthday parties
in the name of something as undeniable as the tides

the children they made

the children who made them
to be in the company of both

at the same time

was to learn
the difference

between fire

and its reflection
But to them

I say thank you

for assembling yourselves
for me

on those rare but beautiful days

[by Sarah Esmi // published in Soundings East Vol. 44; Spring 2022]