Last Trace

by Lesley Mellor

Two sets of footprints on whitened sand.
Morning light flooding across the ocean,
swimming naked into the light
the touch of a lover.
Two bodies coupling in the sand
limbs around in and out
lips on breast
hands on thigh
sun burning down
heat on heat.
She came again and again
but still cried for more
and frightened away the gulls.

She looked up
but could not read the message
floating in his sea-green eyes.
Now
one set of prints.

He left
she wept.