A Woman Alone at a Beach Somewhere, Gazing into the Sea

Who is this woman looking out toward the sea? She could be me, she could be someone you know—I won’t say it’s you, I don’t know you. She’s probably white, possibly gay, but probably not. Able-bodied enough to climb down treacherous rocks to be near the water. She’s dealing with heartbreak or pending heartbreak; she either longs to be alone or is lonely. Nothing can stop her from this contemplation. This is why she looks to the sea: its vastness mirrors her inconsequence. Perhaps the sea reminds her of the birth of the . . .