Ocean, Inspiration for Stillness

Beach walkers.

Quiet walking, without talking, looking down, looking around, looking ahead.

I am watching.

A few pass between the low, incoming tide and where I sit.

On the sand, hood-string tight, sweatshirt warm, knees drawn up in arms.

I look south. Chill Atlantic. Children dash in—again! A dad is watching. Windmill arms. Legs leap-frogging. Foamy waves are conquered.

Straight ahead rhythmic waves. Bubbles recomposing slide away. In these moments, free of people, stillness deepens. No thought. Clarity—ocean, sky.

Warmer. Stillness gone. Gulls cry. Children cry out. Their joy found. Oncoming breaker. I dive. Splashing. Silence. Mental stillness.

My realization, “We can return to a place of inspiration, with a thought as the map to a giving location.”