Ocean

My skin is cracked, my bones too sore to crawl along this shifting shore

I’ve found, in desperation.

Uncertain, burned, and full of sand, void of strength that made me stand,

I yield to this sensation.

My throat is parched, my skin too dry and caked for me to even try

To sidle to the water.

I sit alone and hope to sleep, but if I knew the sweet relief to come,

I might have risen.

A wave, a breath, a hint of rest seeps through my skin, fills up my chest

Too suddenly.

Shocked, aroused, and soaked throughout, I watch the ocean’s blatant route

To speechless me.

Trickles, first; a gentle wave creeps up the shore, and dares to save

My sandy feet.

The feeling steals my breath away. With one touch more, I cannot stay

Still on the beach.

Cautious, waiting on the shore, I feel consumed, and want it more;

This hopeful feeling.

A wave has breached my sandy flesh to leave my skin renewed and fresh;

It sends me reeling.

Water’s seeping through my heart, cleansing dirty, sandy parts;

It’s crusted over.

Salt cleans every bleeding cut, which sends a writhing through my gut

At this new healing.

Never have I felt this balm upon my soul, though nothing’s calm

About this ocean.

Riplets wash my filth away and take the pain in wordless ways

Of ceaseless motion.

Words escape my trembling lips, so I wade in up to my hips

In love’s deep water.

All at once, I have a name which dances on the waves, untamed.

He calls me, “daughter”.

Gasping, breathless, wanting more, while deafened by its joyful roar,

I swan dive under.

Eager, hungry to renew the happiness I thought I knew,

I’m now in wonder.

Excited, hopeful, yet reserved to find this peace, so undeserved

And sweet as wine,

My heart surrenders to this wave who took me, cleaned me, all to save

And call me “mine”.