Sea Green

I am for now, wading in your tide pools your ocean has retreated from my rocky shore still puddles of you gleam in the sun my bare feet tingle over smooth pebbles and ancient shells Ankle deep in you, I feel a sting from a dying jellyfish. It doesn't bother me, I am calm in your cool water Evening comes; a silver moon returns, and lures your foaming surf back to my shore; I greet your surging wall of water gladly; my halting steps blend into a gliding stroke as my arms and legs seek your eternal greenness Beneath the surface of you, mossy stones of brown and gold glide across my vision. The muffled light of a dying sun winks at me on bodies of graceful gliding creatures who live inside you A city of shells litter your floor in a riot of shape and color The urge to drown in you pulls me farther from my shore; stealthy giants with teeth like steely blades patrol your depths- I am blind to the menace of them After exploring you for a while I am dragged back to shore by fear or courage I turn my back to you only with regret that my home is not within your green depths A brisk night breeze and moisture from you that still clings to me chill my bones as I watch your restless surface from the safety of my shore Some ancient signal deep inside me tells me I must return to you but for now, as I await you I make my home on barren ground. Written November 8th, 2001 © on Nov 08 2001 04:06 AM PST   0 • 10