a few conflicted thoughts on open water

I. sometimes you come out of the water

clean

rinsed of sweat and dirt and tears

taken from you by the water

and you feel new

and light

but

sometimes you come out of the water

gritty

covered in sand and salt and seaweed

draped on you by the water

and you feel ancient

and heavy

II. sometimes the water holds you up,

propels you on, and

makes you fast and strong and graceful

and

sometimes the water pulls you down,

holds you back, and

makes you powerless and afraid

III. beauty in the cleansing

beauty in the residue

beauty in the strength and grace

beauty in the fear

poem (c) 2015 D. Ohlandt

please only reprint in entirety and with credit given

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