Mindful Observer

I visited the Ocean,

on a spring noon.

After the meet-and-greet,

as per my trait,

I walked on the sand,

to notice good and bad.

I checked the beach,

for traces of microplastics—

there weren’t any,

good to notice.

I gazed at the bluffs—

eroding fast.

A lavish house perched atop,

sitting precariously,

with grand Pacific views.

I wondered how long,

it would last

before toppling in.

A creek met the Ocean,

People frolicked in it.

Had they seen

the runoff that fed it?

Not the best place

to soak your body in.

I scanned the shoreline

for marine carcasses.

Dead whales and dolphins

have washed ashore,

in recent weeks,

all victims of algal bloom.

That’s who I am—

a mindful observer,

one who likes to find

cause, effect, and connections.

It’s my religion and ikigai.