Once Upon A Wave

I silently sit and watch the waves as they crash upon the shore

Breathing in the scent of salt sea air, filling my lungs with their cravings for more.

The seagulls swoop and dive, looking for their evening meal. They don't bother about me watching silently, as if I'm a part of them and so belong.

I focus on the building ebony clouds of darkness as slowly they move and shadow what is left of day's light. Warning me that soon the chilly winds will cool me in the swiftly decending air of night.

I know I'm getting older, I feel it in my bones, in my mind and see it in my eyes. The hair is getting more grey, skin less firm and small wrinkles appearing everywhere, adding character to a once young and girlish face.

My step no longer light and free, but slower and chosen more carefully, least I stumble and fall. For bones once strong are more brittle now, and mend too long a time and much more painfully.

I try not to worry but my mortality is more often on my mind, for others, some much younger have gone before and left me far behind. Oh where do we go when we leave this earth, are we no longer meant to be? Or do we go to a better place, on a different level of being?

It's strange how when as youngsters we can't wait to age yet now that I'm older do I really wish to once again be young? I've learned many lessons, some joyful, some filled with tragedy and pain. Would I really like to go round once more and face it all again?

Our time on earth is limited, we must find joy when and where we can, but must always in the back of our minds remember. that which we leave behind, must be thought of lovingly and hopefully passed on

To the younger ones we've born and raised, with tears of joy and laughter, And promised that they as in the fairy tales, would live happily ever after.

I no longer believe in fairy tales, I outgrew them long ago, when expectations and broken hearts proved them to be untrue. Why do some people choose to live their lives in perpetual expectation of better things to come? Don't they realize we make our own goals come true by what we envision most important to our hearts, mind and soul?

I will leave this earth without regrets and much love for the precious gifts it holds, Nature, in its greatest glory, beauty and wonder, is left for others to unfold.

Joyce,

May 4, 2002