after he dearly departed into the biggest blue

a shaper created me my goldilocks board

just right

undoubtedly a grief distraction, a father abstraction

carved from years of following him out to sea, jellyfish arms

paddle paddle paddle

the smell of wax, neoprene and brine

had I been foolish: too old, perhaps, too sad?

a few more years before I too am lost with the tide, under the water after the last ride

yet my last wave is not now, or now, or now -

a sting ray flies beneath me and I wonder if it is him

hello ghost dad, I burble into the salt water

the bubbles tell him it is the best board I have ever ridden

his wings clap against the sand and he is gone