trying to dislodge all the thoughts in your head 

a swift slap across the cheek ought to do it 

shake your head until all you can hear 

is the whooshing of the ocean behind your ears 

and all you can feel is the boat rocking angrily 

against the current 

pull at your hair until the pain 

brings you back to shore 

and the sand beneath your feet feels less slippery 

than the waves 

but the ocean stays swallowed at the pit 

of your stomach 

heavy and thick 

the salt burning 

gaping holes