Isle Walk, Jingle Shells

The night air was warm
and couldn't resist the call
to come walk alone
along this stretch of isle.

My skin quickly succumbed
to the temperature
of the foamy edges
as the waves crashed along
and lapped at my feet.

It didn't take long
for heartbeat to increase
and release the energetic zest
that gave me desire to run
for awhile on my island lone.

I'm always amazed
to find myself out here
passing condo high rises
from one stretch to the other
but never another soul.

And then,
passing all of the buildings up,
I reach the tip
where gulf meets bay.
The stars almost feel like
they call down to me,
applaud me, for being out
with them tonight.

And then I spotted something.
It's vague form
began to take shape
as my eyes adjusted.
A bird.
It's wings were damaged
and it looked like
it had been brought in
with the waves.
It sat nestled in a ridge of sand.
I sat and chatted with "him",
prayed for him.
He moved his head a bit
as if trying to get up
but couldn't.
I teared up.
I texted my husband.
I so wanted to bring him
with me back to the hotel.

I left him there.*

Thankful for the pure white
sea foam that marked
the slim edges of incoming waves.
Little birds with long fast legs
skittered out in front of me.

Lightweight, thin, grey jingle shells
stood out to me as I watched
to see if any shell treasures
were left
by these steady, crashing waves.
I collected several of those jingles
and placed them in my pocket.

Hard to describe the time
out under the stars, on the beach,
here at night.

Finding new inspirations
as the years pass,
and everything, everywhere
is a wonder
to behold.

*I did message "Save Our Seabirds" (we had just visited earlier that very day) and told them the location of the bird.  I so wanted to bring it back to the hotel and keep it in a box until the following morning and actually take it there being that it was so close by.  So hopefully, not only I, but possibly others may have called.