i was winnowing salt
from the summer sea
with a silver sieve
for healing
when a fairy came to me
she showed me its impurities
and how to cleanse the salt
at an eternal flowing spring
high up in the hills
when all was made complete
she left me sitting on the shore
alone
with sea shells at my feet
she called out to me a blessing
with a last flutter of her wings
and i have not forgotten her
or her gentle words