Where the sea meets the sky

I come to you in a set of salty waves.
My gravity is as deep and vast as the crackling of the blue cold.

I am a delicate blend of shadowy blues, hidden sea greens, and sunburned bronzes.
As sure as a stone shrine, I reflect the lost soul of your silent sapphire eyes.

The magnetic music of the moon guides my moods, both quiet and extreme.
My pulse rises, and my energy waxes and wanes.

My briny air kisses your cheeks ceaselessly in wind, water, and sand.
You survive in my forgiving underbelly.

I replace your world in a single wave where sorrow grows, and 
as vast as our existence, we become one of pure movement.

Ask me a question, and I will tell you a tale. 
I have wisdom only I can reveal. 

I am clear coral morning misty blue, 
I am the Greek Goddess who pours spoonful's of sympathy over your sobs.  

You ease as the soft unfolding of the waves foam at your feet.
Your courage grows, and curiosity takes you further. 

Fall back into my abyss, float on my shell. 
Allow my captivating waters to calm and cradle you.

I am refreshing on a hot Northern California summer's day.
My sand is soft and stable beneath your soles. 

I am a fridge, passionate, and sharp.
I am a quiet power for the brave at heart.

My waves can be disloyal and intimidating. 
If you turn your back, I may knock you to your knees. 

I am unpredictable and mysterious.
My undertone will toss you around until you come up for air.

I am seductive, sexy, and strong. 
I tantalize your yearning and take your breath away. 

Let me awaken your longing.
Let loose your hair and dive bare-boned and naked. 

I welcome you to cleanse in my sliver of salt, 
to give yourself space between your heart and mine.

The tips of your toenails and thirsty skin may numb.
Rest, thaw, play, and return for more when ready.

The sun's shimmer turns to glitter and gold, 
a ripple on the surface whose every mood you know from a lifetime of embrace. 

The moon suspended in the sky shines through clouds, 
its ghostly light illuminating a pathway to the exposed perils of your terrain.

My horizon is where the sea meets the sky, 
unbroken and generous to striking sunsets and majestic moonrises.

My waters discern light and shadow, 
reflecting your unguarded, silent, fierce, fragile, bright broken heart.

I am your anchor and alchemy, 
your merciful savior at sea.

You teach me, and I teach you, 
and what I teach you, you sustain.

I shape, soften, solidify, and reform.
My current is wild, fluid, and free.

I am the ocean. I am the sea.
All life begins and ends with me.

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Prompt

This poem was initially written on August 14, 2022, day 5 of a 30-day grief writing course. I was at the beach on a sunny Sunday afternoon, notebook, pen, and prompt handy, my grief and ocean as my muse.

The creator of the course, Megan Devine, shared this about the prompt as an invitation to our grief to introduce themselves to us:

“The prompt focuses on the craft of writing.

If you were writing fiction, you'd want to know the voice of your main character. You'd want to know the way they walk, the kinds of food they eat, how they comb or don't comb their hair. They would need to be real.

In a way, your grief is a character. It has a rhythm and a voice. It is particular to you. 

This creative tool is called personification. What we're really doing is giving grief itself a voice. When it has a voice, it can tell us things.

If your grief is a character, who can come forward and speak, what kind of voice does s/he have? Don't tell us about it. Let him or her actually speak. Write in grief's voice.”

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Grab a pen and paper or your favorite journal. Set your timer. Write for 15 minutes, pen never leaving the page. See what words flow.

I would love to hear about your journey and experience with the prompts and process of flow writing. Hit *reply* to share or *click* and leave a comment.

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