The water runs deep in my blood.
The salt of the water permeates my skin, into my pores.
This is where I am from, where I belong.
My soul, my spirit will always yearn for this place, my home.
I have spent so many years running away from this place,
and now I am always running back.

The rocking of the boat is soothing to me. I drop my head back.
I give in to the wind whipping through my hair,
and offer my grin up to the sky.
Deeply, greedily I breathe in the briny scents of the water that surrounds me.
I feel at peace.

As I gaze at the mountains that invade the space of the ocean,
I wonder if they have ever been climbed.
I have always been curious.
One time I did climb one of those rocky hills,
the views amazing and humbling.
The sense of awe fills one chest.
So much untouched land.

I think that this land will always be protected.
I will one day bring my children here.
To those very mountains I so arduously climbed that fine day.

I am from this place.
I belong to the trees, the cliffs, the sea.
My soul will always crave the smell of the waters
and I will forever taste the salt on my lips.
  Submitted By: Sharon Farrell