There was a time
When the Ocean was still.
Silently,
Alone,
It lay upon the land
Peacefully,
Quietly,
Solemnly,
It existed.
Until one day,
Man came,
Standing tall,
Standing erect,
Standing amply
He walked along the shore
Between the land
And the sea
Teasingly,
Playfully,
Thoughtfully
Man wondered,
In which realm
He would live
And noticing him,
The Ocean
Was moved.
Caressing his ankles
Softly,
Warmly,
Attentively,
It whispered,
“Come man,
Come and live in me.”
Man pondered
The proposal
He asked,
“But, lovely Ocean,
I have needs. . .
What when I hunger?”
Considerately,
Thoughtfully,
Delicately,
The Ocean replied,
“I can provide you food.”
 And the Ocean rose
To his knees
Then Man,
Becoming wary
Said,
“But humbling Ocean,
What when I thirst?”
Compassionately,
Seductively,
Openly,
The Ocean proposed,
“You can drink of me,
For I would never let you parch.”
And the ocean swelled
To Man’s waist
Uncomfortably,
Resistingly
Man argued,
“Gifted Ocean,
I must breathe. . .”
Wishfully,
Wantonly,
Lustfully,
The Ocean
Moved the warm air above
And sighing through his hair,
The Ocean suggested,
“You must trust,
I will never let you drown.”
And the Ocean surged to Man’s neck.
Fearfully,
And finally,
Man plead,
“Merciful, understanding Ocean,
I also need Love. . .”
Knowingly,
Thoughtfully,
Remorsefully,
Then Ocean receded
Only to wave
From that day on
And Man,
From time to time,
Respectfully,
Caringly,
Wishfully,
Visits.
 
Austerberto R. Palis, Jr.
January 8, 2014; 02:26am