Leslie E. Hoffman

A wave breaks
Sol’s ashes settle on white foam, above
a lone gull traces the shoreline

Turning away, a woman walks
toward the labyrinth
blaming tears on the wind

Each forward step
inside the spiral maze, recalls
dreams not manifested

Reaching center, she kneels
at modest offerings—smoky quartz
a half-burned bundle of sage

Surf spray prickles
as the sun dissolves

I retrace my steps into the future