The Sea

I wake up on the shore And instinctively I know there is a danger Hiding in the sea Deep and dark, overwhelming Its horizon never ending Scattered tiny shells Cut into my feet Underneath the sand Like repressed memories I feel the water and the undertow Is it the sea witch in her house of bones? Inside I hear the little mermaid cry I try to run but I am paralyzed It's coming Coming It's near Water's slowly rising Creeping up the stairs I hear the thumping sound Of floating chairs A raft with neighbors is drifting by The father is praying, arms held high The final cries of children blown away Will I live to see the break of day The rising sea is all around Enclosing us Higher waves are lashing out So cold and dark It's coming Coming It's rising Water is rising It's here