at the edge of the world

I stand and take in

the spray of waves on my face

the expanding sky

at the edge of the ocean

I wait for a sign

while water licks at my feet

and my body of lead

turns to salt

at the edge of the sea

I listen to oyster catchers

peck at living rocks

as pohutukawa branches

bow in recognition

in spite of myself

I surrender

to the wisdom

of water