Vero Beach, FL (free write)

Vero Beach, FL
6AM
In my bed.

Outside, a route.
Twenty steps from front porch,
half a mile on asphalt,
passing homes -
sporadically inhabited.
Luxe expanses
facing slept-through sunrises.

6:12 AM
Whip my body onto left side.
Try to forget the

Crash,
Screech,
Waves and gulls.
A friendly hello.
Magenta clouds promise
A delight.

6:26AM
My eyes won't open. Too sluggish
for the

Two sandy miles,
Running close enough to get shoes
wet. Fighting the deep
sand, dunes
grass lilting in morning breeze.

6:50 AM
I keep sleeping.
Shades closed.

The sun is up,
Ocean glitters.

6:51AM
I lie in dark room.
Covers up to chin.
Pretending that I'm not upset
at myself to be missing

A scuttling crab,
Pelican gulping the day's first catch,
Porcelain sand dollar, only a quarter
inch-thick,
Not yet shattered.

7:02 AM
I haven't run.
I haven't slept.
I have wasted the morning.

A foaming sea, and warm sunrise:
constant miracle.

7:03 AM
I whip back over to my right
side, clutching pillow.