On the beach I read Kubla Khan semi-out loud into the seabreeze. The feel of the words on my lips rather than their sound. That pleasure dome and sacred river running down to a sunless sea. Well, there’s sun on the sea today. It glimmers on the brown ribbed shore. The sea, for here, is rough and the lifeguard is having fun shouting at people who stray out of the designated safe swimming areas.

lost in the waves
a woman wailing
for her demon lover

Paul Conneally
12 October 2026
Cefalù Beach