The Ocean

I wandered the streets,
Cold, grey and lonely.
A city of pavements,
Crowds stepped them daily,
Past tall soulless buildings
Entombed in a plight.
No light in this city,
Only shadows in flight.

I thought as I wandered,
Of sun, sand, rock pools.
The laughter of children.
Sandcastles, seaweed jewels.
How a bed full of seashells,
Blooming love, smelling pure,
Tickles our senses,
As we walk the sea shore.

I walked up a hill.
I looked down far below.

Over the bar, a high tide.
Waves clear, bluey green.
I heard a child giggle.
I ran towards the sound.
My hair in the sea breeze
Til my toes touched the sand.

I looked over my shoulder
To the place I had been.
It was cold, grey and lonely,
Shadows still seen.
A shudder went through me.
I turned back around.
I took a step forward.
I smiled at a sound.

Waves crash the rocks.
I strolled into the sea.
Remembrance of salt water
And times I was free.
Happiness returned
As I studied the swell.
No more cold, no more grey.

My loneliness quelled.