Two parallel grooves in the sand
beckon curiosity along its path
to discover an empty chair
like an Alzheimer’s father
looking at the lake.
Reflections of the shoreline fir trees
ripple into a watercolor painting
better seen through squinting eyes.
Sun sparkles twinkle star lives
across the lake’s surface
while night depths laze below.
Sandy footprints scuffle in weird
dance steps left, right, over and back.
The chair is silent, content to stare;
its shadow lengthening-shortening
as the sun eyes the scene
from different directions.