Footprints Poem by John A'Hern

Visiting a beach full of childhood memories
Laughing, running, until exhausted,
Tide was out a funny expression
Saw a vision of father digging for bait
Pitchfork in hand studying sand and mud
Chose a patch of sand, is there something special?
All looked the same to a child playing
Seagulls circling screeching calls repeating
Shoes removed as well as socks
Rolled up trousers what a sight
Laughed inwardly as to what I must look like
Aware of footprints leading into the distance
Remembered the game of measuring sizes
Who was it that walked before us?
Checked length of stride, sometimes jumping
A strange sight for anyone watching
A grown adult acting like a child
My feet fitted into footprints before me
The stride was perfect, felt so comfortable
Stopped for a rest looking skyward
So many seagulls whirling circling
Turned to see the trail of footprints
None behind me none in front
Sat on the sand puzzlement indeed
Stood to walk back from where I came
No footprints appeared in the sand
A person walking towards me
I tried to dodge they passed right through me.