Oceans for Emotions: I long to see the sea, the sea see me

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Elaine Wheat

Originally published July 15, 2011 at midnight, updated July 15, 2011 at midnight

By Elaine Wheat

He restoreth my soul. - Psalms 23:3

Today, I pulled up to Marker 75 on the ship channel, tied up and wrote a poem celebrating my birthday.

I want to share with you a few things I've learned in the quarter of a century of living. My poem is called, "Going Forward in Reverse."

I must see the sea and the sea see me. If the sea dried up, so would I.

When I am old and lonely, the primordial mass of me yearns to return to the womb from whence I came.

I must taste the salty spray, the embryonic fluid that cradled my form with its rhythmical rockings, as I slept through yesterday.

I need to hear its melody, the lullaby of my infancy from which my soul awakened to suckle its sandy breast that nurtured this life.

I cannot separate its fragrance from the urge to regenerate and grow, and replace the parts of me that life has lost.

So, I long to see the sea and the sea see me. To blend together as we once were before the cord was cut, and I must grow up.

But I can't do this growing old thing if the sea dried up for, so would I. - Elaine Wheat

Dear Lord, I wonder what kind of day You were having when you made me up. Let me live long enough that You will look at me and say "That's good."