Looking Forward

Floating in the sea,

I’m happy

The familiarity of the ocean drowns me

with a feeling love

The sound of the waves

soothed me

The surrounding water

hugged me with comfort

But then it hits,

a giant wave

Confused. Lost. Disoriented.

Saltwater plugged my ears

Waves that once soothed me

made a deafening sound

Saltwater filled my lungs

Water that once hugged me

dragged me under

The thing that I once loved

Was now hurting me

Was it worth it?

Trying to stay afloat,

letting waves take over me;

enduring the pain

Holding my breath,

unsure of the next time

I could breathe

Pretending the ocean was kind,

trying to heal me;

kissing my open wounds away

But I forgot,

saltwater stings.

I swim away

Trying to leave the water behind

Each wave drags me back,

reminding me of memories we once shared

But I persevered

With each stroke and streak,

I was shedding a part of me

that longed to be held to,

but was ready to fall off.

It was time to let go of the past

and look to the future

I reached the shore,

the sand offered me a warm welcome

As I look towards the horizon,

the sun was setting

I smile,

it looks bright.