My Grief

The cold shock

of winter’s

salty water, splashing

on bare skin.

Thankfully

I go numb.

Tides advance

to bring a new reality

and then recede

taking with them

all my dreams.

Waves form in the distance

rolling in slow motion

toward me.

I watch with fascination

then fear

as they grow larger

closer

threatening.

I try, but

cannot run

on feet now buried

in cold

wet

sand.

Holding my breath

I sink to my knees

Eyes closed I wait

in a muffled

swaying limbo

Hiding

from the force

that washes over me.

Believing I’ve survived

I rise

to a cold, gritty

brutal turbulence

that consumes me.

Insistent

that this time

I surrender.

                               ~Shari Heath~