the visiting hordes

 

suddenly the visiting hordes were gone

like someone had poked a hole in the magic bucket

containing the visitors and their dollars

leaving the locals

those few who

couldn't get it together enough to travel

to drink their coffee

"you want some pumpkin spice with that?"

and watch the tide

coming or going

one thing for sure

it wasn't helping the surf

the water temps will drop

and the wetsuit that had been left out overnight

just stares into your soul

and challenges you to put it on.

"Come, climb into my cold embrace, like all those seasons past"