This is one of my favorites from last year. It was also one of my first poems here and then I was hooked!! In a few days it will be a new year, and I will be another year older too.
I walked to the edge of the sea
To see what was ahead of me
I felt the braces on my knees
I knew they were limiting me
I walked further into the water
I longed to be free
The cool water felt refreshing on my warm skin
I wanted it to wash my cares away
And so, I walked further into the bay
The water stretched out to the horizon, as far as I could see
I stood in awe of the vastness compared to me
I wanted to swim. Should I dare?
Why should I care?
If the water is murky
Or what people think of me?
What if I didn’t get this chance again?
All that was guaranteed was this moment.
I decided it was time to be free
I relaxed on my back
I let the water carry me
I gazed up at the sky, sun, and clouds
The world was becoming quieter
This was the moment of peace I was waiting for
It was just the sea, the sun, clouds, and me
I thought of how effortlessly the water held me up as I floated
A sea gull nearby cried
My thoughts came back to myself, and the people around me
I didn’t want anyone to think I was drowning. Ha!
I was still alive. More than I had been in a while
I pulled one arm in back of me and another as I glided across the bay
Swimming, it all came back to me by the way
I slowly walked back to the shore
Salt water in my hair
My ponytail plastered to my back
Sand on my feet
The breeze cooling the water droplets on my skin
I felt young again, if only for a moment
I trusted the water
I trusted me
That was the only way I could be free.
Photos of our Cape May vacation, courtesy of Jane Deegan. July 2024
This made me feel like I was floating. Gorgeous, Jane.
Beautiful Jane!! ✨