the ocean's embrace

you have little bruises
on your thighs and
lips,
purple and
radiating.
and under your chin
you have a playful
chorus of faint
freckles.

we were ten and your auburn
hair is being lightly
tousled by the slight
grip of the
wind,
and our feet are tiny
compared to the depths of the
ocean,
and you point and splash
into the waves,
letting the water sway and
carry you when you
fall.

the water is just like mother's
embrace,
you quietly
say.

and i nod my head and
drift.