On the Beach

Beneath the orange glow
of brimstone clouds,
a river roars
down Kilhauea,
sweeping cactus, scrub brush
aflame in the flood.
Lava spreads outward
like black porridge
stealing acres from the sea.

Steam hisses as the tide
of ocean's swell
strikes fresh ground.
The mass congeals
to rippled rock,
jutting raw,
sharp as razors
toward the sea.

The advance of pumice quelled,
wind builds walls
of turquoise
that pound the shore
with water fists,
grinding cliffs
to boulders
to black lava sand.

Scott Speck
10/12/99