ONCE UPON A WAVE

The sunlight reflecting off of a distant glance
The waves drawing closer with a swaying dance 
The interest of seashells no longer peaks my curiosity 
As the salty air sings, so sweet a song, to my anxiety 

Wishing I had the nerve to cast myself into the sea
Instead, I relied on faith to bring the light to me 

And after one hundred and ten crashing waves 
Lay exhausted at the foot of the seashore 
My courage to embrace the light was matured 

A few steps was all it took, with an outstretched hand 
For that which was cast upon the water half a century ago 
Had made it to dry land

That which sparkled so bright from a distant 
To the eyes, now looks fragile and frail 
But the years of torture by the hands of nature 
Would not kiss the contents of this sealed vase 

It took some doing but once unsealed 
A gem for all eternity was revealed 
Written on a canvas was instructions so clear
The answers to all my questions of life 
Which had brought me nothing but fear.

Wilford Barker.