I wish my father were able
to make his devotions at the altar
of this great water
but he is too busy working
talking with god
and looking for answers
the same answers
theologians want
meanwhile this ocean
is wild and cold and silver
meanwhile this beach smells of grit
and salt and is a home
for shells sharp-edged with light
meanwhile
we could all visit
heaven more often
if only we stopped
trying to make
this world bend
to whatever we secretly wish
to prove god is