Bright crisp cold Sunday morning on the beach. The high ground in the amongst the salt water rushes catches debris. Specks of blue Styrofoam dock stand out against the natural earthy hues, each one degrading into microplastic pollution, each a fish doppelganger ripe for a seagulls picking.

My son collects with me, excited about his trash finds that he adds to my bag.

Off the beach, the collection of blue have a gemstone like quality, weathered and vibrant at the same time. something about them being laid out in a grid simply and honestly against a white background is striking in my mind. A little pop of pink cut from the child’s Disney flip flop I recovered will be just enough to offset the sea of blue.