I want for nothing in the sea, only my shadow demands to come along tethered to me under the sun, visible only at the edges
There is freedom within my shadow, just as there is freedom swimming in the sea
Swimming under an autumn sun, the sea pushes back now a little more, and the cold is creeping in, but I swim on fast, wrapped in down coats and dazzling sequined jewels, my body itself trailing behind and flowing like a grand ball gown
I have no need for clothes, for the sea is my watery wardrobe
All materials fall away leaving me cast in liquid untethered to anything but the air above, the sky
I reach and stretch, pulling my arms through clear gold, I feel rich like a queen, my gems scattered around me on the sea floor, broken bright white, dark grey round, lacey green wisps curl and I command nothing, and no one here calls my name
Here I make peace with the world
The sea is my confident, my guardian, my trusted friend
My royal court of clams and crustaceans, and my guards the slick headed seals, who drift unseen through my kingdom of waves know that I bow to them, for they rule this kingdom of wind and wave and sand and stone
I ask only for their blessings and forgiveness
I wish them well on their journeys to distant lands, hope they can find safe harbor before winter arrives, find enough food and pass down their stories and songs through the generations
I promise them I shall swim quietly along, and but flash by like a spark, take nothing but visions and hope with me when I crawl to shore dripping puddles and peace around my naked feet
I only ask that they swim and fly and dig and scuttle and drift with intention, show themselves in all their salty glory once in awhile so that we humans may marvel at their exquisiteness, honor their right to live and flourish, and bow to their being
Swimming in their salty shadows
Mary Swims 