One or the Other

It was me dear sister
It was me oh brother
My feet were separated
from one another

One placed on the land
One placed within water
My thoughts were torn
between one and the other

With a foot on the shore
And a foot in the ocean
I stood there divided
My soul in commotion

The earth called too sweetly
The earth called familiar
But the sea rang out wildly
and my heart was bewildered

The shore was my safety
The shore seemed secure
But the ocean tumultuous
Cried out "I'm the cure!"

Ever same stood the earth
Yet the ever shifting sand
Gave me great excitement
But I stayed in command

With or without me
The ocean was all change
Haunted by its summons
My mind was enraged

A call to engage
And surrender my soul
To the real thing of glory
Without my control

Slowly I inched
Away from the sand
Surrendered both my feet
To the ocean's command

Tidal waves bore me up
And tore down my walls
I saw my many failures
I drowned in my flaws

As my body drifted
And sank in the waters
I closed my eyes
My heart on the alter

What game had I played?
What thing had I done?
For as pain gripped my heart
I let go of everyone

And at last as my heart
Came undone at the seams
I let the ocean cleanse away
My stubborn, stubborn streak

Death came about
Encasing my lungs
One breath, heavy sigh
And the thing was all done

The worst was over
The pain had passed through
But the light wasn't waning
Instead it came anew

It passed through my mind
Like some bittersweet song
And the peace beyond knowledge
Invested deep and long

It wasn't surreal
or full of suspense
but it was deep and real
and made the most sense

Now forever I'll surrender
To the call of the ocean
and let it wash away
All my deathly emotion

For I am the grave
and I am the death
So to turn from myself
I swallow the sea in every breath