this page is a lovely poem

re: tides
sometimes "tides" refers to the currents of the water
which in turn
make patterns in the sand,
change the counters of the island
and sonetimes
drag you out to sea...

but i also use "tides"
to categorize what the waves deposit on the shoreline
which can range as well
from types of shells
to varieties of dead marine life
to seaweed
to coffee cup lids

it is amazing how often
a single item will predominate what the sea wants to leave behind

we watch the tide charts,
almost as closely as we monitor the weather,
to determine the best time for walking & gathering
(usually low tide)