The Shores

I sat deep in those waves,
Feeling all the loss, the hurt, the anger.
I allowed myself to sink low
Below the water,
To embrace all the negative that swarmed
And then I kicked my feet.
I rose.
I swam to those shores,
Looking back at the doubt that tried to drown.

I saw him smiling at me,
Waving at me,
Reminding me that his arms were always ready,
Understanding me,
How I have to let myself drown from time to time
To figure my way back out.

I said hello to my darkness,
The tiny whispers that plague me.
I let them speak, let them doubt.
I gave them their moment 
And then I told them to shoo
Because I would not allow them to stay forever,
Just for a moment.
I would taste them
And spit them out
Like the wine I don't like to drink.
Even the darkest parts of us need to breathe
If only for a moment.

I thought about my father,
How he's been swept out of my life
And I wondered how much of him I still carry,
Knowing that I haven't quite let go yet,
Wondering if I ever will
But I know he's smiling at me,
Waving at me from those shore lines,
Shaking his head at me like he always did,
Never understanding why I'm so stubborn,
Making myself laugh, thinking,
"I learned it from you."

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