Thea Ysobel

When I was 10 or 11 yrs. old, I loved going to the beach.
I would stand near the shore,
feel the water on my tummy,
and wait for the waves to come.
And when I feel the water rising,
I would jump and let the waves carry me.
I remember feeling scared every time the waves hit my back
and push me to shore.
I always felt like I was going to drown.
All I would see was water and sand,
but I never dared close my eyes.
I was scared as hell!
I also kept my mouth shut.
It was already a struggle to keep my breath,
and I didn't want to lose my center.(go chi)
I never really liked the taste of salt water.
There was always silence every time the waves took me
and that continues to amaze me.
A frightening tension around my body,
and then the release:
I let the waves carry me.
The calm and the peace that took hold of me
and carried me back to shore
might just be the calm I'm looking for right now.