the sea is a barrier and an escape, but all I knew was that I want to be there, looking over the water and swimming below it. There was thing thing about fear that made me step out into the abyss. I didn’t know much but that’s what made it thrilling. How far could I go without knowing and where would it take me? Mother always said to keep one foot in the water and one on the shore, because you never know when you’ll have to choose a side. The wet sand beneath my fingers melts under my hot skin. The sky is overcast but I burn for the unknown. I will sink until I see treasure. seaweed makes its home between my toes while the salt clings to my skin like candy. I wear a crown of broken seashells, the ones left behind because of their imperfections. I choose them because I know what it’s like to not be chosen. the cry of the seagulls call out to the beating of my heart. the song of the waves crawling onto the shore waiting to be dragged back into themselves.