In the early 70s
We stood on Nauset’s nude beach
Hippies not yet punks.
A thick ledge of wet seaweed
Covered the high tide mark.
Off our clothes
We lay on the cool green algae
Our bare bodies sinking beneath the sludge
Comforted by the ocean’s endless bounty
Each of us silent
Seagulls squatted around us
Never within arm’s reach
Neptune embraced us
We stood as one
Naked to the elements
Wiping off the seaweed
We laughed
Our skin was hued as the cold Atlantic
Blue-green
Eyes met
Understood
We came from the sea
Struck by the beauty all
As one we ran into the ocean
Cold as ice
Clean as ice
Within Neptune’s embrace
Hippies not yet punks
1972