whenever I return
to the Cape, and am
kissed by the salty breeze
I realize that I left
a piece of myself
on the rocky beach
the Cape belongs to
the young girl who
wouldn't have her
freckles if it wasn't for
the August sun
the girl who pretended
to be a mermaid trapped
in the pool, trying to find her
way home, to the ocean
the Cape belongs to
the young woman who
wasn't comfortable in
her own skin, and
covered up
the woman who learned
that dusk was her favorite
time to visit the beach,
with ice cream in her hand
and her toes in the sand
Every year, I have less and less
time to return here,
but every time I do I see them
They are in awe of me
So alike, so different
The sun hasn't stopped
scattering me with freckles
Especially now,
I no longer hide my skin
And though I don't pretend,
I still wish I was a mermaid
Even though I don't visit enough,
With every trip I find myself
On the beach, at dusk
With my toes in the sand,
and ice cream on my lips,
I realize,
A part of my soul
will always be here
