Waking before full light, strands of night in the air,

Heat rising from the mattress ejects me from bed,

Sliding open the doors, I sense high-tide.

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Damp-from-evening-swim swim-suit, kikoi, sandals,

Leave Neem tree shade, for quiet morning light.

Smells of cardamon, fresh-lit fires, a hint of heat to come. 

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Coral beach passageway still holds cool, soil gives way to sand,

Reflected morning light blocks my view until stepping out, onto the beach.

Spring tide has brought the foamy waves almost to the steps.

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Indian ocean; soft as silk, powder blue, rolling smooth,

Sand sun-bleached, sparkling golden sunrise light,

Sky-sand-ocean, light-filled awe.

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Bofa Beach, Kilifi, Kenya

January 2021