This is
my year by the sea
pen in hand
as I work through
the hard places
of my heart

Coming to visit
my friends say
I look happy
for the first time in ages
while with pot of tea raised
I shake inside

Patterns in sand
come and go
as I wander
the beaches
looking for hope
a place to sit
to wait out the storm

Wringing my hands
half-smiling at strangers
I breathe
practicing the gifts
of the time to be spent
here

So fetch me some madelines
and my wool derby hat
fetch me a notebook
some ink and a desk
let me set up residence
in this space by the shore
as the as waves come in
come out
to find me

This is
my year by the sea
pen in hand
as I wok through the hard places
of my heart