An Inner Child's Ocean Journey

Beneath the surface of my weathered soul

A child resides, like a pearl in its shell

Witness to tides of sorrow that roll

Stories of separation his eyes do tell

Once bold as the crashing waves on shore

His voice rang clear like a seagull's cry

Now muffled, like whispers on the ocean floor

His words are wrapped in mystery's sigh

With each new dawn, like the rising tide

I sense his presence, a surging force

His anger, fear, and melancholy ride

The currents of my heart's remorse

As life demands I sail a steady course

My adult self turns a deaf ear to his plea

Ignoring the child's call, fraught with remorse

Adrift on an endless, emotional sea

This innocent soul, a castaway on life's shore

Yearns for nurture like a seedling for the sun

Unaware of the storms I've weathered before

The battles fought, the races run

But now, it's time to heed the ocean's call

To dive beneath the surface of my pain

To face the depths where shadows fall

And bring the child to light again

For years, I've left him stranded on an isle

A sacrifice made in the name of survival

But now I see the need to reconcile

To end this long, internal rival

He knows my sorrow like the sea knows salt

I must confront it, like a sailor facing gales

To kindle hope, to call a halt

To years of drifting with tattered sails

I reach out to him across the waves of time

Pull him close, a lifeboat in the storm

In the harbor of my heart, sublime

Where comfort waits, both safe and warm

As I rediscover love for this inner child

A lighthouse beam of clarity appears

Revealing truths long reconciled

Illuminating my hidden fears

Defenses crumble like sandcastles at high tide

No longer divided by an ocean of doubt

I stand beside him, no need to hide

Our unity a beacon shining out

In this communion, hope sets sail anew

My true self emerges from the mist

Together we navigate waters blue

Our wounds acknowledged, gently kissed

This voyage of acceptance, long and hard

Has brought me back to my true shore

No longer adrift, no longer scarred

I embrace the child I was before

In this reunion on life's vast beach

We find our strength, like buried treasure

Two halves of a whole, within reach

United in perfect measure

The inner child, once lost at sea

Now finds safe harbor in my breast

Together we've crossed an endless sea

Finding peace at last, finding rest

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Through storms of doubt and tidal waves of pain

We've navigated life's tumultuous ocean

Now hand in hand, we set sail again

With understanding as our devotion

The anger ebbs, the fear recedes

Like the outgoing tide at day's end

The melancholy slowly concedes

As we learn to trust and transcend

No longer silenced by crashing waves

The inner child's voice rings clear and true

His wisdom and joy, no longer in caves

Now shape our course, our bearing new

In every laugh, like playful dolphins at dawn

In every tear, like raindrops on the sea

We find the strength to carry on

To be the selves we're meant to be

This journey of healing, vast as the ocean wide

Has taught us lessons deep and profound

We've learned to look within, to confide

In the wisdom that in our hearts is found

So let us celebrate this union sweet

Of inner child and adult combined

Like the meeting of river and sea, replete

With possibilities, our spirits aligned

For in this dance of old and new

Of innocence and hard-won grace

We find a balance, strong and true

That helps us navigate life's race

The inner child, once lost in deep-sea shadows

Now basks in love's warm, forgiving light

Together we face all of life's meadows

With courage, hope, and insight

So let the world see who we are

This blend of wonder and of years

No longer hiding, near or far

We face life's joys and fears

In every moment, every breath

We honor both the child and sage

From birth right through to death

We write our story, page by page

This tale of healing, of growth, of change

Reminds us of our inner power

To reconnect, to rearrange

To bloom like a long-dormant flower

So here we stand on life's vast shore

Inner child and adult hand in hand

Embracing future, present, and what came before

Ready to meet life's every demand

For in this union, we have found

A strength that's deeper than the sea

Our true self, once lost, now found

Sets our spirit finally free

To all who struggle on life's ocean

All who yearn to find their way

Know that with unwavering devotion

You can reunite with your child today

For in the end, we all must see

The value of our younger self

To set that inner child free

And place it proudly on life's shelf

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So let us cherish, let us grow

With childlike wonder, adult grace

For in this balance, we come to know

The fullness of the human race

Like a pebble tossed into the sea

Our healing ripples far and wide

Touching others, setting spirits free

As we embrace our inner tide

The ocean of life, vast and deep

Holds mysteries we've yet to know

But with our inner child, we'll leap

Into its depths, and learn to grow

We'll dive for pearls of wisdom there

And surface with renewed delight

Finding treasures beyond compare

In darkness, we'll become the light

Like sailors navigating starry skies

We'll chart a course to shores unknown

With childlike wonder in our eyes

We'll reap the seeds of joy we've sown

The ebb and flow of life's great sea

Will rock us gently on its breast

In harmony, at last, we'll be

Our inner turmoil put to rest

So let the ocean be our guide

Its vastness teaching us to see

That in ourselves, we must confide

To set our inner children free

From sandy shores to deepest trench

We'll explore all life has to share

Our thirst for living we will quench

With love and laughter everywhere

Like mighty whales that sing their song

We'll voice our truth without a fear

In unity, we'll grow so strong

Our message ringing loud and clear

The inner child and adult self

Now swim as one in life's great sea

No longer stranded on a shelf

But living, loving, wild and free

So dive into your ocean deep

Embrace the child within your heart

The treasures that you find and keep

Will give your life a brand new start

For in the vastness of the blue

In every wave that kisses shore

There's magic waiting, just for you

A chance to live and love once more

Let your inner child's laughter ring

As joyous as the seagull's call

With every dawn, new hope will spring

And love will conquer over all

In this vast ocean we call life

Where every day's a brand new tide

We'll face both calm and stormy strife

With inner child and adult allied

So sail on bravely, come what may

Your inner child safe in your keep

For you have found the perfect way

To navigate life's waters deep

~

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Postscript:

The process of reconnecting with our inner child is not just a personal voyage - it's a pebble cast into the vast ocean of human experience, creating ripples that reach far beyond our individual shores. Friends who have read this poem may find something in it that resonates with you. Perhaps it's a long-forgotten memory, a buried emotion, or a flicker of recognition. This is the magic of shared human experience. If you've felt a resonance with these words, know that it might be your own inner child calling out for attention. This voice, long silenced by the demands of adulthood, is always there, waiting for the right moment to be heard. Embracing your inner child doesn't mean regressing or abandoning adult responsibilities. Rather, it's about integrating all parts of yourself - the joy, the wonder, the fears, and even the pain - into a more complete, authentic whole. It's about reclaiming the creativity, spontaneity, and zest for life that we often associate with childhood. It's never too late to start this journey of self-discovery and healing. As you embark on this personal journey, you're also contributing to a larger healing. When we mend our own emotional wounds and integrate our fragmented selves, we become more whole, more compassionate individuals. This, in turn, positively affects our interactions with others, creating a ripple effect of healing and understanding that extends far beyond ourselves. So, take a moment to listen to the whispers of your inner child. What dreams have you set aside? What joys have you forgotten? What hurts need tending? Let this be your invitation to cast your own pebble into the waters of self-discovery. The ripples you create may just inspire others to begin their own journey of inner child healing, creating a beautiful symphony of personal and collective growth.