In my room by the sea I counted the minutes between The water cascading over my roof Tangled seaweed Kelp Flitting Dancing Brine crusting lungs Pieces flaking off every time I exhale I used to hate the smell of the ocean How it would burn my nostrils Close up my throat Sting my eyes The sand rubbing my skin raw A smooth eloquent mix of blood But now I'm fine I've been down here so long I don't have anything to go crazy about The soothing noise of the sea Has just become blank to me Tugging tides Frayed lines Somehow I manage To find solidarity In these sea-foam lies Dear me How comforting