I am small in the sea, pushed around

by waves that care not for any grain of sand

or stuff that floats in old men’s heads.

 

Arms held wide and high, that reach and cling

like a child to a parent when things get rough,

when routines fail and muscles waste.

 

I hesitate, recoil, cower; skin so thin

these cold water blades could spill these guts

for waiting gulls and wash away this name.

 

I am caught like the sun, falling

and hoping to rise again, the horizon watched

from a base of arched feet, soft soles and toes

 

exposed to the hidden sharpness of shadows.

And though these whispered sea breezes,

with caresses would show the way,

 

for that bastard time waits not for me,

until I learn to surrender, immerse this body,

allow these legs to float and lay back this head,

 

could I ever take in the whole of the sky?

 

 

 

Jonathan Humble_author photo

 

Jonathan Humble is a teacher in Cumbria. His poetry has been published by The Big Issue In The North, Poems For Freedom, Ink Sweat & Tears, Obsessed With Pipework, Riggwelter, Atrium, Amaryllis, Zoomorphic, Fairacre Press and has been read on BBC Radio. His short stories and poems for children have been published in Poetry Roundabout, The Caterpillar and Stew Magazine. Twitter: @JonathanHumble