Here I stand
Toes in your cold, vast forever
Your soothing crescendos
Mask my fear
That your infinite skirts
Could swallow me up
Amidst your churning strength

For the first time
I understand your fierce love
And can open
My eyes to let my own
Heart gush forth salty and
Streaming down my face.

My sister, strong
Endless mother,
Ancestor, progenitor
Always spinning one,
Mother of the beautiful
swimming schools
Wife of mysteries.

Iya
Mother
Mystery
Queen
I find you in my
Grandmother's stern love
My sister's crying eyes
Your children's strength
And my own will to love.

May I float
In your foam-topped cradle
Sheltered from the storm
Within me until
I no longer
Fear the smashing of your
Waves that echo
My own restless heart.

Omi O!
Adupe Yemoja