opening the car door
I immediately inhaled
the sea air
heard
the sounds of the white
and grey birds
felt the coolness
of the air
within the summer heat
my feet awkwardly
traversed the hot sands
littered with slate stones
making my gait seem
that of a drunk
always unsteady
the gulls
the gulls
screeching and gliding
teasing
showing off
or pausing to insist
on a snack
years melted
time confused
as I immersed my land-locked feet
in the eternal waters
on the edge of the world.
little girl
sand in her bathing suit
I could hear her unburdened giggles
her undisciplined play
kicking up water tasting salt
when caught in the undertow
momentary panic
clenching lungs
as the watery world turned her
on her head
in my daydreaming
she emerges through the foam
triumphant
relieved
exhilerated
by the imbalance
skidding butt-first
along the tide
in all the changing
tides
shifting sands over years
that smell
that unique smell
fish and sun and sun lotion
that salty, sandy taste
the sound of waves
Landing gently
all touchstones
constants
Home
in a topsy-turvy
unpredictable world
I've been away too long
I closed my eyes
standing knee-deep
in timelessness
sands sifting through my toes
gulls scolding me for my invasion
and I want to sink down
allow the womb-like waters
to enfold me
carry me
remind me
that Home
is here
deep inside
never so faraway
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