The darkness of the beach at night envelops with a sense of peace

Gone are the daytime crowds of families, couples, groups playing volleyball, strolling retirees, and seagulls raiding unattended food

the absence of the crowds illuminates other aspects of the beach not noticed during the day, it gives a feeling of freedom, and a little fear in contrast to the dominant sense of peace

Stepping through the dunes and onto the beach itself overwhelms with darkness, the brief minutes of blindness as eyes adjust force an orientation based on the sound of the surf

Slowly beginning to move toward the sound of the water, feet step gingerly through the dry sand, toes feel first for sharp shells or stones, and the view begins to resolve itself under the light of a stars and a gibbous moon

Standing at the edge of the high tide line, the emptiness of the beach and the dim quivering lights reflecting the moon on the water give the familiar place an alien feel

Curling waves aided by wind deliver brisk sprays of water, hitting the face and coating it with a sandpapery salt tasted as the tongue licks wet lips

scent of salty brine and wet seaweed increase, as well as the sinking of feet into the cold and wetter sand

the night on the beach seems darker and colder than before

 It is time to leave the place that has revealed new aspects of itself in the night hours

It is time to return to home, to daylight, to the everyday chaos and routine of life