The Wave

The sea is calm, ominous

The sun warms the sand

The birds are silent

Time expands, the starfish freezes

The gigantic wave crashes out of nowhere

Engulfing the city

Claiming people like sardines

Panic

Screams

Silence

The children are building sand castles

Their mothers are roasting on their towels

Tourists play ball in the sea

I watch

I’m vigilant

I prick my ear

I assess the shoreline

I dip my feet

I swim a bit

Then I keep watch

The sea recedes

I scream “it’s happening again!”

I grab the closest child under one arm

I see an old lady who is too slow

I grab her under the other arm

And I run to safety

The wave crashes

Engulfing people

I see the heads popping right and left

I assess who is drowning

Who needs saving

They swim