feet planted firmly
water rushing around me
feel myself surge forward
unbalanced
unable to keep up with the raging current

i’ve lost my footing
nosedive
headfirst into the sand
the saltwater splashes into my eyes
stinging them
into my mouth
tantalizing my tongue with the taste of most of the planet

the sun is the warden
beating on my back
sadistic
relentless in her lashes
the sea gently licks my body as if to solace me
in my failure and physical pain
calling me back to the great blue-black mass.