Dear Ocean

you’re never still

never like land

washing away

scratches in the sand

each morning I return

to the plush shoals

where, like a child

i play and roll

safe

where you’re shallow

.

Dear Ocean

why

can you never be still

why

so dark

lend me a gill?

.

Dear Ocean

what are you hiding

krill and brill and

secrets

in those depths

perhaps

worth finding

.

Dear Ocean

please, never be still

i cannot fall asleep

without hearing my fill

of your violent waves

crash against the cliffs

though the dream of drifting

away

with your tide

keeps my eyelid stiff

.

Dear Ocean

show me everything

i want to know

but Dear Ocean

please

don’t swallow me whole