An Ode to the Ocean

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A golden field of the softest grain

that burns bare feet

But I don’t mind

 

It’s just enough to light the fire beneath me 

and send me running

to the shore

 

I run past rainbow umbrellas,

shielding those old and young

I run past pesky birds 

fiending for a snack

I run past entire kingdoms

both fragile and firm

 

I let the wind mangle my hair

and the shells scrape and stab my feet

 

I am burning with bliss

 

I don’t break until 

        you crash

Collapsing into your bed of brine

More than a coastline

 

You pull me in further

And hold all of me

Extinguishing the blaze

that caused the pain

 

You sting my eyes 

But I know you don’t mean it

You are quenching me

cleansing me

  cooling me

       curing me 

 

        I am reborn

We play like little kids 

You toss me around but pick me back up

We share secrets in whispers

Though I’ll never know all of yours

I know you’ll protect all of mine

 

An entire landscape made 

of broken and 

recycled parts

 

I can’t explain why but

       I need you 

I need your great expanse of tiny rocks

that get stuck between my toes 

and in crevices even I don’t know

I need your collection of colored glass

sharp or smooth

I need your weeds and coral 

and muscles and stars 

and bones and jelly and teeth and dollars

 

You are the only bank I know

The only school I wish to attend

You are a biome 

You are my home

 

When I was younger

I hated being called a 

         Pisces 

But now I embrace being being ruled

by the sea

 

Thank you

for always welcoming me here

Just one breath of your salty air

Lifeline