SEA CARNEYS

    Sea carnivals call to me, carnivals
    carried by the wandering carney waves
    to land and back
    around the globe
    trading bits of driftwood
    seashells and jellyfish
    with each other
    glittering sunlight hiding surprises
    crashing and splashing
    driven by the moon and wind
    tossing themselves at the world
    with foamy glee
    breaking up on the shore
    tickling the toes of little children
    lapping at the sides of pirate ships
    always singing the songs of the waves

    They ignore the words of
    fearful doldrums
    warning words from those
    holding tight to every drop
    jealously guarding
    every grain of salt and sand
    warning the waves to come back
    warning them to stay away from shores
    where they'll be broken to bits
    and have to crawl back into the sea
    in pieces becoming
    the bagladies and hobos of the deep
    scrounging for their lost bits
    to recreate themselves.

    Stay here in the doldrums, they say,
    where you're safe
    imprisoned in safety
    so that you may live
    to fear again.

    But a wave, having crashed against a distant shore
    doesn't mind
    recreating itself.