My Reason

The sand felt warm under my feet
as I walked closer to the sea,
the waves ebbing and flowing,
an invitation to approach.

The first contact with water
was like a kiss from nature,
bringing life back into me,
to mend something it didn’t break.

The depths of blue reached my waist,
slowly engulfing me, inch by inch,
with fingers curling around my neck,
trying to squeeze life out of me instead.

So I let it wreathe around my body,
hoping to drown in its embrace,
to dilute the twisting ache,
to dull the crushing agony.

Yet when I looked up at the sky,
all I wanted was a reason to stay.
So I begged the clouds for a sign,
and sobbed to the tide to carry me back.

The most tender tap on my shoulder
drew me out of my mind’s dark.
With eyes and a smile like hers,
she took my hand and led me to the shore.

She was my reason.
I am my own reason.