By the Sea

Peace.
At last, the thoughts fall silent.

Here by the sea there is quiet, despite the crashing waves and the stormy wind. I look out at the water and draw a deep breath. This is what home feels like to me.

Life begins to slow, and stillness settles in. I watch the sea swell and sink back in a steady rhythm.
My breathing grows slower.
My heart grows calm.

Bare feet part the cold wave and sink slowly into the wet sand, which closes gently around them. Held and warmed, they are cradled by the shore.

The gulls circle above me. In wild dances they play with the rising gusts. It is a joy to watch them, how they hover in the wind and make playful use of every breath of air. What lightness there is in their flight.

The wind blows cold across the water and whispers quiet words of courage as I look out at the rough sea and stretch out my hand.

The grey cover of clouds promises rain before long and sends me drifting into dreams.

The salty scent rises to my nose, and I feel the sea breeze cooling my face.

It has been a long time since I last felt this alive. At last I can feel myself again and know where I want to go.

Unwittingly, I have to smile and open my eyes.
Reality has taken me back.

A carrion crow sits in the crown of the birch and looks down at me with something like expectation.

With a sigh, I lift my gaze to the black creature. “Time to go on.”

I close the window, ready to throw myself once more into the whirl of this life.

Yet no matter where I am, I carry the north within me,
the sea in my heart and the music of the waves in my ears.

Deep within, I make myself a promise.
Soon, I will visit the sea.