some surf her waves, i fly inside her tides

i miss standing in the ocean,
looking out at her endless horizon.
i see a strong wave coming at me.
thrilled, i jump backward with it.
propelling myself toward the shore.

knowingly, she catches me.
i relax my body, and close my eyes.
she gently embraces me,
enveloping me into her soft cocoon.

giving into her strong grip,
i am completely weightless.
effortlessly, she spins and slams
my shell onto the floor
with the force that she chooses.

and for just a moment, below the surface
i find the peaceful silence
that i am always searching for.
the soft chiming of the sand and shells
dancing beneath the surface sing,
as though it is the song of the universe.

finally, she spits me back out onto her shore,
where her echoing voice is loud
and harsh, scolding me.
like a child, i desperately clamber
to climb back into her arms
to do it over again, and again.

until i am beaten sore
and have no more strength
to stand inside of her calming rage.
she took all that i had to give.

-v