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left on the
sand
like highway cones
markers of who they are
and when they will return
towels and coolers
flip-flops and lawn chairs
mark the spot
stake their claim
to this small portion of the beach
their territory for now
their temporary home
away from home
the family is gone
yet their stuff remains
to hold the ground
to plant a flag
to signal coming back
no one will bother their stuff
all recognize its value to the family
here is the father's ice chest
the mother's umbrella
the children's plastic buckets
all left unguarded
left alone
until their eventual return
stuff that is safe for now
their proof of ownership to
this small section of beach
a little plot that signifies the family itself
their homestead on the strand
we all leave a piece of ourselves
upon this good earth
our footprints in the sand
a part of who we were
to be remembered fondly
like a holiday on the beach.
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