Seeking sun and sand and salty water,

wanting all three in reach.

I took a drive to the coast,

to spend a day at the beach.

Wanting time on my own, a desire to be all alone.

I grabbed a towel, took a book, packed a yogurt and a peach.

Had it all for my day at the beach.

I nestled myself in the shade, ate the small lunch I had made.

The towel kept me from the sand, the book distracted me from the water,

the rented umbrella blocked out the sun.

It seemed that life was full of avoidance tactics, choices keeping me from my stated goal.

There I sat wanting to be alone with several hundred others who may have wanted the same.