Tears of Salt

/

I need this.
More
than
anything.
More
than
you.
Do
not
be angry.
I take
my shoes
off and walk
to where
I know
I can
fill my soul.
I can
not explain
it.
As I walk
the
sand
washes
away
all the
wrongs.
The bad
decisions.
The things
I wish
I could
change.
I feel
the tears
stream down
my face.
Because
this is not
what I want.
Or how
I want it.
I get
closer
to my temple,
my church
my forgiver.
This place
can heal
and I am
ready.
I see the
ocean
and I walk out
on the sandbar.
The ocean
breeze
floats
down
my throat
and takes
all those mistakes
and regrets
away.
I walk into
the water
and let
the salt water
do what it
should do,
Fix,
Heal.
This is
the most
honest
place I know.
I swim
until
my arms feel
like heavy weights.
I walk
out of
the ocean.
Knowing,
I can be better.
As I walk through
the sand,
I see you
waiting
for me.
The salt
water
from my tears
is mixing
with the
ocean salt
water.
Under my
breath
I whisper
your name.
You are my
safe place
and I love
your honest
eyes.
You understand
my tears of
salt.

_____
Paper Trail:

Off Season: Cape May, New Jersey

Photographed during the month of February in 2014, the image above was captured during photo sessions for a book entitled, Off Season: Cape May, New Jersey.

This book will showcase high contrast black-and-white images from Cape May during the height of winter in the resort’s off season. Stark, barren, and empty are words and emotions I hope the final images convey. 

It is a labor of love and will be available June 2016. Stay tuned!!

The Beach Is Her Sanctuary

/

The beach is her sanctuary. The sand under her feet is her foundation. The waves lapping at the shore are her symphony. In good weather or bad, her soul is always at peace by the ocean. 

It’s winter and morning. The air is cold and biting. The sky is overcast and threatening snow. It doesn’t matter. The beach is deserted and exists only for her.

She looks at the water and the waves softly breaking. She looks at the snow covered jetty and the coastline beyond. She breathes the salt air and listens to the gulls overhead.

One step after another, she walks the beach leaving footprints in the sand. What once was smooth and touched only by the sea, now bears witness to her passing. Tracks along the shore. Memories for her mind.

She isn’t alone. She’s here with her lover. He quietly watches her as she walks in her solitude. No longing. No jealousy or envy. No expectations. He observes her in the moment, delighted and grateful to know his love is at peace.

She feels his gaze as she walks. It makes her smile. She knows this place is special to him. Sharing it, she feels his love. He is part of her and always will be. She wonders if he knows? 

Stopping, she looks back to find him. She was right. He is there and watching. She feels him in her heart. Lost in the moment, the world slips away and serenity finds her. Her soul is calm and quiet. She’s at peace and happy.