and once again the silent tears fall.

You glance to the left and seeing that there are no other people on this side of the pier you set out to take a quiet walk along the waters edge. As you begin your journey you notice that sitting close to the waters edge is a solitary figure facing the waters sunset dance as the dusky colours melt into the end of the sky.

As you get closer you realize that the evening tide is rising and the figure, a woman, is sitting quite close and will soon be in the ocean as the tide works its way to high ground. You walk up to her and speak quietly to avoid startling her:

"Miss? The tide is coming in." She gives no indication that she has heard you, much less noticed your presence. "MISS??" you repeat, louder the second time.

As if in slow motion she silently turns her face towards yours and you are shocked to be met with sad grey eyes, bloodshot from crying; her face streaked with the many tears she has shed. "What?" she asks as she shakes her head slightly. You repeat " the tide is coming in." She turns her head to glance out at the ocean and then at the water lapping at her feet. "yes, I suppose it is" she replies so quietly that you have to strain and lean in to hear her words. "I should move."

Wanting to offer this obviously grief-stricken woman some assistance you respond with an offer to help her move to higher ground which she gratefully accepts. She slowly rises from her chair and wraps her blanket about her and turns to follow you as you have scooped up her chair and are moving up towards the top edge of the beach. You wait for her to come stand next to you and indicate where she would like her chair. As she reaches you she looks sadly at you and then slowly turns to face the ocean, once again captured by the hypnotic waves. You arrange her chair for her and taking her arm gently guide her backwards into the new location. She passively accepts your help and sits with a quiet sigh. Her eyes never leave the crashing waves and once again the silent tears fall.