A Prayer for Water

Like a wave upon a shore

you crashed into me

engulfed me, swallowed me

and I, a child

chose loneliness,

over swimming lessons

I dragged myself to dry land

renounced the waters which held me,

that wicked beautiful blue

but dry lands and clear skies

are nothing but raindrop goodbyes

and murky waters, sick sweet affection

my sights set back on that ocean salt air

but when I returned

the beach wasn’t there

then that I’d grown to love the tides

and learned to swim, too late

now that I’ve learned to love at all

now, i pray for water.