I closed my eyes as sand blew towards my face,

But it was soon washed away by the mist of the tide.

I could still taste the sand from the sea,

As I lay on Santa Monica beach.

A toddler had on an extravagant pair of charcoal-colored boots

As he stumbled along the boardwalk taking his first steps.

I suppose our consumerist world got the best of him too.

Then he wiggled out of his expensive shoes 

And gleefully ran towards the setting sun;

He was not about to let society take him as well.   

A young girl screeched at her younger brother

For letting his ice cream drip onto her sun-kissed shoulder.

She was steaming about the cold disaster

That had begun to trickle and stick all the way down to her lean fingers.

Then she sighed and cleaned it off, for she, too, was just offered the same delight.

Her temper tantrum would have to wait just a little bit longer.

Then my own brother asked if I wanted to bike ride on the boardwalk

Along the old trail away from the roaring city.

I shook my head no because I had better things to do.

But then I peered through the haze of the heat and bliss

And realized that this world could wait.

I hopped on a rusty bike and easily pedaled away from everyone

For I was on Santa Monic Beach.