It is the way the tide rumbles slowly,

racing up the sand to blanket my feet.

It is the way my toes submerge effortlessly,

into the soft embrace of the miniscule grains.

It is the way the wind dances through my hair,

knotting the strands together in the most intimate way.

It is the way the sun transforms my cheeks into roses,

with the thorns replaced by innocent brown specks.

It is the way my freckles dip into the craters upon my cheeks,

as my sun dried lips curve upward towards the sky.

It is the way, that in this moment, looking out at the sea,

and the people smiling around me, that I realize,

There is so much more.

 

There is so much more than the cruel words,

spewing from the bully that we hide from in the stall.

There is so much more than the violent acts,

the ones we hear about on the news.

There is so much more than the abuse,

the bruises we avoid explaining.

There is so much more than the whispers,

pointing out our flaws right behind us.

There is so much more than the drugs and alcohol,

that we think will make life better.

There is so much more than the evils in life.

Just look around, look out into the ocean.

There is so much more, we are so much more,

and I am so much more.