ash

catefrances

the wind bites into her skin
she closes her eyes
arms out in that familiar jesus christ pose
it moves her
though she tries to stay motionless
this is nature
she thinks it must be snowing somewhere
she can hear the trees talking
and wonders what it is they say
the sand stings her legs
and the waves crash on the shore
she hears no human voice
except her own inside her head
sssshh she tells herself
you're ruining everything
if only she could get it right
just once
that's all it would take
it is all she'd have to take
just once with perfection would get it done
the ocean could help
it birthed her, surely
it would open its embrace to bring her home
she breathes out and extends her arms over her head
joining her hands together like someone in prayer
she hears the sirens calling
can she be like odysseus
that conniving fool
can she conquer the temptation
hear the song yet not be driven
by the calling
the calling
the constant calling
a sisyphean task everlasting