Prick of the Spindle: Poetry: Bennett: At the Ocean

At the Ocean
by Gloria Bennett

She sat alone,
overlooking the ocean
on the coast in Santander.

The way she sat,
legs crossed,
thighs showing,
wasn’t meant to be flirtatious.

She wasn’t aware she had an audience.

He might have sat down beside her,
to see what she would do.

But he chose to simply stand there,
maintaining a safe distance,
as she lifted her head periodically
to observe the incoming tide.

Finally he turned and walked away,
toward the lights of the city,

and her profile soon vanished against
an orange-filled sky as the waves tumbled
beneath the setting summer sun.

Santander, Spain

Gloria J. Bennett has had work published in various literary journals. In 2006 one
of her poems was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. In addition to writing, she also
teaches English classes at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega,
Georgia.