It's said that there are many fish in the sea
But to me
You were the ocean
So blue and yet so unclear
Engulfing me in your waters until I dissappeared
Into the unknown

I dove headfirst into the abyss
As I watched the waters turn a darker shade of blue
Descending deeper into a world that was all too new
I headed straight down

1000...
2000...
3000 meters
Until I finally reached the bottom and saw your darkest regions
The place where no sunlight ever dared enter
And you introduced me to the ghastly creatures that called your sea bed home

I spent so much time absorbed that I didn't even notice that I was running out of air
That I was already suffocating
So I came out flailing with exhausted lungs
Sputtering water and gasping to breathe
Yet even as I lay there on the surface
Unconsciously drifting away
Your relentless waves crashed over me and dragged me back in a maddening cycle

But I let it all happened

Because I chose to test your waters
I took on the challenges of braving the currents
The challenges of loving you
And even though your tides took me to places I didn't want to go and your waves relentlessly toppled over me

I never held it against you

Because every night, when the tides stood still and your waves calmed down
I looked at you in admiration and saw how you reflected the stars in the night sky
How they glimmered on your skin
And shined with so much hope
Radiated so much wonder
Mesmerized with such beauty
I was enthralled

But it's sad to think that a man can only last so long in the sea
That over time, the water turns his hands wrinkled
His body fatiguged
His feet sore from trying so hard to stay afloat
That eventually, he must swim back to the shore

And eventually lose sight of the ocean

It's been a while since I've been out of your waters
I don't know when I'll regain the strength to jump back in
But know that I'll be stronger next time

Your waters have made me more resilient
And at least I have that to thank you for