Three Steps Backward
Standing at the edge of the
ocean
On unforgiving cold wet
sand
Running shoes and socks
Keeping me warm and dry
I watch the waves roll in.
Depth majesty power
Unfolding
Before my eyes.
This wave draws nearer
than the others
Then recedes silently
Drawn back
Into the great swelling
primal force of creation.
I stand at the water's edge
Listening to the rhythm
of the waves
In awe of the color
of this moment in life.
Now a new wave rises up
Then breaks
beckoningly
stealthily
sliding toward
my feet.
Instinctively
I take three steps backward.
Still I stand
waiting
looking forward
focused on the extraordinary
breath of creation.
Now another wave comes
even closer than the other.
Closer to my shoes.
I take three steps backward
yet again.
At my feet
the shattered remnants of
an illusion of
comprehension.
Three steps backward.
Perhaps in reality
three steps forward.
(December, 31, 2017)