Broken Pallet

The last few days there has been a wooden pallet
the kind used with forklifts and warehouses
drifting here and there on the beach

It was cannibalized for beach fires
and I thought it would meet its end that way

But the high solstice tides carried it away
waterlogged it
festooned it with seaweed

It has been in a different place each day
but as the tides even out with the movements of sun and moon
it will find its resting place
and probably be consumed by fire in the warm summer evenings
once it dries out

You imperfect rectangle
your slats are broken like ours
and like us will be eventually consumed

May we all bring light

Composed June 27, 2025