On the beach The sun bleached the gathered forms With coats and ties and sighs all formal They waited for me Blackened backs facing I waited for their formation to break As a welcoming smile breaks And is disarming I waited for their hail But the committee did not turn I grew aware that they knew that I was there Were retorts, but no one cared Were retorts, but no one cared I waited for their formation to break As a welcoming smile breaks And is disarming I waited for their hail I waited for their hail