on a grassy cliff over the pacific
ocean
wind whispers
a salty breath caresses bronze skin
inhale………. let it travel these blood traplines
exhale………. let it travel these waterways
ocean splashes into jutting rocks below
heart thumps in chest
breath comes, the quickening
toes curl, dig, and try to take root into moist earth
arms raise over head, earth to sky
eyes close tight and the countdown begins: 3, 2, 1
spirit lifts and sways in the wind
spring body upward
those seconds in the air
are static
until water reaches up and catches me in waves
rip tide brings me down
beneath the surface i fall and sink further
a star fish suspended in the fading light
the air burns in my chest
urging me to release it
spring back to reality
kick my way up
the surface of the water breaks as i reach to a star crested night
my body floats with the ebb and flow and swirls in cool currents
the pacific embraces me whole
vera wabegijig 