This Is The Way I Pray

This post was most recently updated on July 19th, 2022

 

Toes, feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs.
Salty water, cold as ice, brooding skies.
Breathe, breathe, breath is blooming,
I am NOW, this moment all consuming.

Alive. I am alive. In this breath,
In this beating of my heart,
In this pumping of my blood,
I am here, I am now, I exist.

Gasp, blow, hum, screech,
Push off, into the breach.
Swim, paddle, kick, float,
Voice catches in my throat.

Fear left behind
Alone on the beach,
I am not prey to the grey:
Swimming is the way I pray.

Alive. I am alive. In this breath,
In this beating of my heart,
In this pumping of my blood,
I am here, I am now, as I depart

This beach, water becomes my church,
This brine my confessional,
This sky my benediction,
This swim my absolution.