Sometimes a young life
boils down to a willingness
to go skinny-dipping.
Throwing off your clothes
as you run laughing into
a gargle of salty spume
while someone else sits
among the dunes, worrying
you’ll catch your death.
Ben Banyard lives in Portishead, near Bristol, where he writes poetry and short fiction. His work has appeared in Shortlist Magazine, The Stare’s Nest, Nutshells & Nuggets, Ancient Heart and a forthcoming issue of Sarasvati.