Catch My Breath
by J.L. Baker
Pull the shade down with the sun,
Shut the night out, the inner light on.
Pull dusty blindfolds over my eyes,
A perfect illusion hiding behind.
Onyx weave masks the world that is seen,
Thoughts settle on shorelines of what could have been.
On sunsets too brilliant, eyes narrow in wonder,
Something bobs on the current before going under.
The foam of the ocean holds space for my breath,
In again, out again, “we can do this.”
Salty waves welcome kindred their own,
Tendrils of teardrops finding a home.
Creatures spiked hard shells thrive in the brine,
Creatures inured bones less brittle than mine.
Rimy arms of the tides gently embrace,
Drifting away afloat only by grace.
Distant shore silhouettes a girl skipping stones,
I recognize her from a mirror I owned.
One, two, three rocks jump nimbly in number,
Something bobs on the current before going under.
Pull the shade down with the sun,
Shut the night out, the inner light on.
Shut the night out, the inner light on.
Pull dusty blindfolds over my eyes,
A perfect illusion hiding behind.
Onyx weave masks the world that is seen,
Thoughts settle on shorelines of what could have been.
On sunsets too brilliant, eyes narrow in wonder,
Something bobs on the current before going under.
The foam of the ocean holds space for my breath,
In again, out again, “we can do this.”
Salty waves welcome kindred their own,
Tendrils of teardrops finding a home.
Creatures spiked hard shells thrive in the brine,
Creatures inured bones less brittle than mine.
Rimy arms of the tides gently embrace,
Drifting away afloat only by grace.
Distant shore silhouettes a girl skipping stones,
I recognize her from a mirror I owned.
One, two, three rocks jump nimbly in number,
Something bobs on the current before going under.
Pull the shade down with the sun,
Shut the night out, the inner light on.
J.L. Baker is a poet and author who enjoys all things nature. Rainy days, a cup of coffee, and a front porch are heaven on earth. She has previously published poetry in Boats Against the Current, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, and The Dirigible Balloon, as well as authoring a book under another pen name.