The Ocean's Embrace

The sand massages my weary soles.

The earth giving, ever so slightly, with each step.

The hot sun beats down upon me.

But the heat is welcome.

The sun’s rays kiss my skin; enveloping me.

My chilly semi nude body relaxes with the warmth.

I can hear people talking.

Children laughing, seagulls cawing.

Then all other sound is drowned out.

A wave crashes.

The moment is still.

I feel the warmth of the sun.

The soft sand under my feet.

I hear the ocean, and only the ocean.

I feel the sky and the earth.

A cool rush of salty water washes over my toes, my feet.

My toes squeal with delight.

Digging themselves into the sand with surprise.

I step further.

The ocean comes to greet me.

Splashing up to my knees.

Goosebumps cover my legs.

The ocean draws back.

The sun warms me again.

I step further.

Just one more step.

The wave is building.

I stop.

I should go back.

Instead I dive.

Deep under the cresting wave.

The cool water cloaks me with silence.

Peace.

I see the ocean floor.

It rustles only slightly with the magnitude of the waves above.

The sunlight streams in patches through the rich, salty water.

I surface.

Air sweeps into my lungs.

I am new.

My soles no longer weary.

My soul no longer heavy.

Peace.