I walk toward the ocean 
breathing in the briny salt air 

The stretch of sand seems much smaller 
than what I remember as a child

And yet everything else 
feels reassuringly the same 

Wispy blades of dune grass sway in the breeze 
as clusters of seagulls squawk overhead 

White-capped waves join the chorus 
crashing gently against the shore 

Blue waters rush up onto the sand  
and then retreat just as gracefully 

The ocean’s susurrations 
are a welcome lullaby 
 
Why did it take me so long 
to return?