the ocean

It ebbs and flows
Sometimes big, powerful, tall, overwhelming. 
Sometimes little nips, tickling my toes, just reminding me

People walk by, children
Play around me, on me
Without seeing what is happening. 

It rushes in some days, taking me over,
Sucking in everyone around. 
I feel like I may go out with it,
But I’m still here even though
It takes a bit of me
With each wave. 

Rushes come and go, I feel it
When it’s gone.
My constant companion. 

You can lose things in it
Time, people, ideas, reality, yourself. 
It transforms you,
The grit wearing down the rough edges
Leaving behind bubbles, dents, debris, and sometimes treasure. 

It is a part of me
But somehow still a stranger. 
We roll through each day together
Trying to be gentle, hoping for an ebb 
And flow instead of a crash
But we never know
When or where the crash will come.