Scratching the surface,
Stopping just short of the wave
With its foot tall claw, liquid, but real
This beach, its sand beneath my feet
As real as that claw, but so much more
So much more to me, and I stand
I stretch, I walk. I walk forward to my next pit stop
Its just a shack. But its so pretty, not in wretchedness
But because it has none, and it is beautiful.

I stand again. I walk with nothing in sight but the sand,
One eye on the wave, stopping just short of reach.
Its a strange feeling, strength, despite the fear,
Stopping just short. And that’s where I find it
That beautiful strength, physical, in tissue and blood,
So I edge closer to the edge
I do not stop short, I go on, cautious step after step
Water moves surrounding my ankles,
Shallow, but still strong. More steps I take

I become more aware, not of that claw,
But of me, my strength. I am strong,
And I don’t get carried into that sea, so beautiful
But so fearsome. So I move deeper, now the water at my knees
Tugging, tempting. And I know now.
I know.

I take a step back, conceding. But having won
Having pushed the edge back, I move on to my next pit stop.
So beautiful.