The swirling jewel that is the ocean crawls up the beach before me. A magnificent beast to behold, it is frightening, yet calming in its majesty.

Like silk, soft sand runs through my fingers and over my feet. Waves collide in my ears. The scent of salty, sun dried palm fills my lungs.

A hermit crab the size of a penny approaches and takes a seat before me. After a short break it saunters off leaving a ribbon in the sand behind it extending for what seems like miles.

Warmth engulfs me and awakens me from my day dream as it slips past a dense cloud. Reflecting on the shimmering ocean are past lives I’ve reveled and regretted. I hear laughter and crying. I feel pain and joy.

I gaze up to witness the sun. The omnipotent star floats just above its destination. As it descends towards the water, and the shadows on land stretch away from it, I sit and watch the colors change.

A painting develops on the grand theater of the sky, and brushstrokes of blue are transformed to purples. Intense yellow marks blaze a deep orange but never stop changing as the brush dips into the ocean.

Breathing slowly guides my way forth. A feeling ignites within me and grows with each breath exhaled. This flame silences the demons and I can feel their presence cease. Not all of them can be vanquished, but I know that with time on this beach I will heal.