Inner Tide

My feet on a stool,
my heart at ease.
I let the thoughts
do what they please.

The tide comes in,
The tide goes out,
never knowing
what it’s about.

I close my eyes,
I feel the air,
A mix of healing
and despair.

The tide comes in,
The tide goes out,
never thinking
where it goes.
The tide— it never
ever knows.

The light and dark
flow in and out.
I let them murmur,
let them shout.

The breath goes out,
the breath comes in.
And here am I
without, within.

Vicki Woodyard