By day, the ocean obeys
The laws of nature,
Stays in its place,
Washing up on the sand
In regular and reliable waves,
It is predictable by day,
‘tho sea-salts would say otherwise.

But have you noticed the way
The ocean grows towards dusk,
If you stay alone on the beach
With your arms wrapped around you
Against the cold sea-wind,
Watching the glow of the sun recede?

At this time,
You will see the waves begin to pile higher,
Rising one above the other
Far above the beach.

This is the time of the greatest tide,
When the moon’s pull is exceeded
By other influences,
And the ocean begins to break through.

It rises over the shore,
Sweeps up over forests and fields,
Towns and villages,
Bursting through doors and windows.

It cannot be restrained by locks and catches.

In the evening,
The ocean will always come
Into your house.
Filling every room and corner.

You cannot escape the ocean,
At this time,
You cannot go back
And watch it from the beach.

At this time,
The ocean is all around you
And you are swimming in its depths,

At this time,
You have become the ocean.