Sea Songs

I.

The shoreline was feetful
minutes ago
to lighted homes
they have receded
carrying their chatter
love quarrels, hunger
sand in folds of pants
salt on lips.

Froth-edged waves
curl in calmer
with no one to tease and scare
no shrieking-with-joy, running-away kids
no men pulling coy mammas
just a little further.

Our fears are not of the sea
without
we walk to the cadence
of the waves within
till distance diminishes
the growing dark glows
clasped hands repose
sand sifts
familiar between toes.

The withdrawing waves
suggest restraint.
But a last crimson ray
turns around
to look into the sea mirror
setting off on purpose
our tinder hearts aflame.
There is nothing else to do.
Sand under,
a glow-worm sky above.

II.

One day I will walk into it.
Cannot wait for
this body to be sated
mind to be a fuzzy powder puff
for adieus sans the rider of hope
for this heart to stop
rising to eye
at the sound of a voice.

One day I will stop walking
this endless shoreline
this safe boundary
where the waves wilt and curl
I will walk into the surging sea
past where it rises to my waist
and lays a hand
heavy on my shoulder
then without preface
leaps into the air curling
like a blessing over my head.
One last time
I shall feel your hand over me
then, the waters will blind
gag, leave no choice.
Once when I was little
Father's arms
held me against the current,
again, not too long ago
was pulled back
for another love.
There will be no reaching-out arms
no pulling away
I will walk into the sea
one day.

III.

Sometimes standing on the shore
my reflection mixes with more
and in a dream-surprise
on a wave you rise
I don't try catching
you like
the elusive shell
its lustrous inside holding
the ocean's heartbeat
now within reach
now lost.
Rippling, you glide away
into the high.
You
Or a likeness of you.

IV.

When the breathing begins
to falter
words die
to end in ellipsis
but meanings
lucid linger
wishes dash
in fluorescent lines across
a screen
like how love blips
in hearts secret laden
take me to the sea.