Alec Solomita’s fiction has appeared in Peacock Journal, the Southwest Review, The Mississippi Review, Southword Journal, and The Drum (audio), among other publications. He was shortlisted by the Bridport Prize and Southword Journal. His poetry has appeared in The Ekphrastic Review, The New Criterion, The Galway Review, Bold + Italic, Litbreak, The Blue Nib, Red Dirt Forum, and elsewhere.  His chapbook, “Do Not Forsake Me,” was published in 2017 and is still available at Finishing Line Press. His first full-length book of poetry, “Hard To Be a Hero,” was published  by Kelsay Press in 2021. Both can be found on Amazon. He’s just finished another, “Glass Flowers.” He lives in Massachusetts.

At the Beach

When we went to Old Orchard Beach
and I spent a long time floating in the deep
letting the waves lift and lower me
with my eyes closed, not even
bothered by the salt water
filling my mouth once in a while,
I’d squint at the crowd on the shore,
searching out your face among the others
till I’d finally see you in our canvas chair,
behind a book, which you’d drop to your lap
now and then and search for me,
your red hair glistening in the sun.

And I’d swim back to shore,
until I could walk through the shallows
shedding water like a merman uneasy
on his new legs, then skip on firm sand
then slowed by dry sand burying each footfall,
I’d finally reach you, my Antonia, smiling.
“I love to watch you out there,” you’d say,
“It’s the only time you seem truly relaxed.”
I’d spread out a towel and lie beside you,
feeling still the rocking of waves
as I roasted in the afternoon heat.