I have sat by the sea

I have sat by the sea and
its movement, its constant
coming and going, its rising
and falling, its ripple and
roar can induce in me a
sense of calmness and peace.

I have sat by the sea and
watched the waves break
unrelentingly upon the strand
and felt drawn by an urge to
walk into the waves and keep
walking right out into eternity.

I have sat by the sea and
watched the waves break
across the pier and their sheer
irresistible power restores me
to my rightful place as
insignificant within the universe.

I have sat by the sea and
its constant surge and with-
drawal, surge and withdrawal,
can induce in me a kind of
trance within which my own
determination to continue is renewed.

Wherever I am in the world
I only have to close my eyes
and let images of the sea
percolate through to that ocean
which exists within my soul
and bring calm both to it and to me.