An ancient fear of water
keeps me frozen on the shore.
But in dreams,
I continue to swim
in moss-green waves
as crystal stalagmites
glittered in the cave;
phantom dots glide in,
where the sunlight
tries to trickle in
from the opening.
My heart tries to slow down.
The ocean still calls to me:
“Jump in.”
My breath warms me up—
imaginary palm trees sway
& my toes sink in the sand
& I feel the wind
rustle the tall beach grasses
before I wake up.