Tropics

I’m neck deep in pristine, aquamarine, tropical ocean water

Looking out towards the setting sun

Squinting as a result

A few moments ago a turtle swam by

His giant flippers keeping his gnarled girth afloat

Below me, my toes dig into cool, inviting sand

As my body rocks softly

Lulled by the swell

My turtle friend vanishes in and out of my sight

Disappearing into nearby rocks via his camouflaged shell

If I look straight down, I can see a tiny school of fish

Hovering by my legs

Fluttering there in quiet

As soon as I move, they’ll race away

Unwilling to join a larger creature’s diet

Gentle surf folding down upon outbound saltwater

Makes white noise on impact

Hisses on the way out

If you could see into my eyes from your place on the shore

You’d learn everything that my happiness is really about

05/09/09

Daniel Silver