Final Embrace

The waves are not alone 
in feeling the moon's pull
Foaming waters 
raise white-tipped fingers 
beckoning me 
Grainy hands of sand 
fall away from my feet 
loosening their hold 
setting me free 
for the long walk into the sea 
Thoughts tumble in my head 
a jackpot machine 
rolling endlessly 
spewing fragmented images 
that rise then fade 
as I slot memory coins 
into my mind 
unheeding of where I step 
not noticing the earth 
go from dry to damp 
the footprints I leave 
for an instant
the wind whispering 
in my hair 
the water lapping 
at my toes 
rising to envelop me 
as I sink into its icy arms 
No joyful death, this 
just the slap of cold reality 
one last time

© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved