Ocean Spirit

i. hometown

the dawn mist

swirls across lands

lavender-blue

enshrouding the

vibrant little town

and cold navy seas

quivering dew

we strolled down

quiet avenues

talking about futures

when golden rays

poured from

faded blue skies

illuminating

rusty brick walls

rolling green hills

slick with winter rains

hanging baskets

tumbling orange

pink blossoms

tangles of vines

walking to

a small cottage

by the oceanside

hopping over

small sidewalk cracks

'cause you

said it was

good luck

tucking my

torn red scarf

around my neck

as winter gusts

fabric fluttering

stepping into

your quaint home

careful not to

kick sand in

as the tire swing

creaked softly

dangling from

a prickly olive oak

glowing fireplace

warm tangerine lamps

hearty chicken

aroma drifts in

mixed with scented

thyme rosemary

knee trembling

but you gripped

my sweaty palms

don't worry

you said

but i still did

chairs scraping

against mahogany

floors creaking

plates clattering

as forks clinked

thick gravy sauces

rich potatoes

herbaceous meats

grease dripping

down my chin

lively conversations

light jokes childhood

stories about

beach kites

sandcastle journeys

framed in

brassy photos

with your family

so warm happy

and i smile

breathing calm

now i can

imagine a future

sitting here

talking laughing

finger glimmering

under soft bulbs

with our family

you'd say

as briny ocean

breeze gusts through

an open window

wind chimes tinkling

in your hometown