Do you remember the beach?
the sun that burned our hearts…and souls
The searing that touched our very spirits;
Tearing at that which we sought to hide…
for so many years…

Did the salty waters hide the tears,
Or was the water fresh before?…
Did the surf wash away the pain?
Can you remember how you felt?

Did the world stop as you spoke?
Was something uttered that changed things forever?
That treacherous water that both drowns and floats you…

 Are you sorry for what you said?
Was a fate sealed? or a life reborn?
Only you can answer all the questions of that day.

The day the beach was hot and airy;
The water salty but invigorating…
The day the earth stopped spinning,
and we tried to step off, but only landed
somewhere else…where trust had another chance…

 Have I spoken for you? Can you remember?
The day you remembered what you tried to forget.
Why did you tell me? Was it love?  Was it forgiveness?
Was it challenge?  Frivolity?  I cannot answer.

 But I was THERE…

And I did hold your heart when your hands went cold
From the story that you felt compelled to tell.
I did hold you – though you may not now remember feeling me…

There is an unknown reason for Beaches, Sun, Salty water,
Scars and purging…beer drinking and bodies sweating
Don’t be afraid to remember? Because only in this
Can freedom begin – or is that forgiveness?

 Tell me your story again, and see if the years have changed it;
Endings are only transitions to new dawns.
To speak is to end…to break it…to sever…that which tries to conceal;
To utter is to commit…the reprisal of courage…

 So speak from your heart with fairness and honesty
And trust that it will be held again,
Beautiful one in the Sun,
Because it was never put down…

6-11-98 – TPT