She sits at the kitchen table,

desultorily stirring a lukewarm coffee cup,

her thoughts a thousand miles away.

In her mind, she shades her eyes

against the sun’s glare,

as she sees the cobalt sea.

The figure running up the beach casts a shadow,

a shadow that brings chilling memories

of the distant kitchen table.

He sprawls beside her,

and all she can think is

that she hates cold coffee.