Beached

Feeling a little lost today.

No longer caught up

In the turbulent surf but lying on the sand.

Oriented to up and down again

But little else.

Did we win?

Have we come out the other side

With fingers and toes still intact?

Are we still whole or are we broken?

I did my best, was that enough?

Did I wash up on friendly shores or am I on that island...

Again

With Wilson

Weaving rope

And trying to figure out

How to get back to what I left behind

Even though it isn't there anymore?

I breathe cautiously

Systematically scanning

To make sure no ribs are broken

No puncture wounds

No gashes.

I am in the sun

On the edge of the sea.

Salt water heals

Sunlight nourishes

Sleep restores.

No one has asked me if I'm okay

So I must be still be alone.

At least that much is familiar.

I guess that could be good

If all the other boats

Managed to make safe harbor

But I'm not quite sure

If it is okay to rest or

If I should be

Diving back into the surf

To try to rescue someone else.

When did I become a lifeguard?

I don't even remember learning to swim.

The tide advances and the tide recedes

I think I'll lay here for a while and

Count the starfish till it's dark

And I can count the stars.

Tomorrow

I will peel myself off of the sand

Brush the seaweed from my hair

And take life on again

After all it's just an ocean

It doesn't stand a chance.