Tall Dunes

Short Story by Jack Durant + Interview

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Tall dunes stand in defiance of the ocean. Seemingly impenetrable to the heavy, pounding waves, the sea’s howls, and crashes cannot intimidate you while under their shadow. A simple retreat behind these walls makes what’s invincible feel culled, locked away, and banished. This is a foolish notion though. The sea is as patient as time. It feels no discouragement when it crashes against the world’s sandy fortifications. Even if there appears to be no difference, what appears does not matter to reality. A difference is made each time. Little by little, the water claws away the sand until the dune is ready to fall. Then the water comes powerfully. It exploits the weakness it has cultivated and blasts a hole through. Once a first has been made, the ones that follow don’t matter. The dune begins to shrink in front of your eyes, slowly melting as the water begins tugging at both sides with each flooding. It’s gone, or reduced to a pathetic mound, far faster than expected, and you’re left to contemplate how fast anything can crumble.