Listening to the Waves

A poem

the thrumming highs and lows

as the ocean builds its strength

to deliver water

to the barren land

hearing the splash as it overcomes itself

rolling into a larger being

and the shuffle of the sand as it gladly accepts its drink

Then the pull

the pull of the ocean

demanding 

itself back


memories span

far and wide

as I remember,

comfort settling into my soul

as the sounds of the waves

envelope my heart, and pull back

a mimic of real life,

the sound the most vivid

heart coming alive

and settling into the sands


my memories consist not of images

but of feelings and sounds

smells and dreams

remembering

my young self,

gritty sand between my toes, 

cold rushing around my ankles,

waves rocking my tiny body

back and forth

the sound of roaring filling my ears

and never wanting

to leave this place


the daily journeys

to the ocean, 

frizzy brown hair bouncing

ditching shoes and flip flops

and sinking into the burning sand

march-running

to the ocean

the sudden change 

to firm ground, 

cooled by the ocean

the sun caresses my skin,

as i chase the waves

running to catch the arc 

of each curve

before the water collapses

and rushes to greet the land


I remember sleeping

to the song of the ocean

heart floating 

in the crashes and hums

eyes gently closing,

sunbaked skin red, but not aching

warmth soaking my body

from a day at the ocean

my breath

starting to mimic

the pull and the rush

as sleep overtook me


the ocean calls my name

well overdue for a visit

just to watch the sun set

over the waves, 

brilliant colors of purple, pink, 

red and orange, 

reflected by the ocean

and sand soaked with salty water

though my mind conjures no image

the awe and peace of those moments

fill my mind

of the gasp, and the wonder

as I watched, enraptured 

cold rocks beneath my seated form

wind dancing on my skin,

my camera perched, clicking

unable to capture the beauty

of being there, in the moment


the ocean calls my name

and my heart answers,

settling for audio

as I wait my chance

to greet the cold pacific,

with the distinct smell of fish,

foggy air in the morning,

and the screeches of the seagulls,

filling my body with peace,

to watch

Allah’s creation

one I was so lucky

to know