Roars at the evening, roars at the edge,
breeds beneath its surface, the endless waves
reflections of those who dwell beneath.
Stars wiggle in the meander of its ripples,
foam collects at its breach, its point of surrender,
but do not swim, do not dive
beneath its waves, comfortable swimmer still gripped
by daytime bravery. This ocean is alive, it is different;
you swam when it slept, when you were only a dream.
As you sleep, the ocean swims beneath your dreams,
do not mistake your easy snore for the siren
whisper of the ocean upon the shore.
You are flesh, naked and alone. Great creatures
from prehistoric times drift by unnoticed, their immensity
too much for your senses; predators wait to tear at you,
your shield, your confidence, does not matter. You are alone.
You will not win. You will be swept away, unknown, unnoticed,
for you leapt at night into the mouth of the sea.
Peterborough Poets 