i’ve only seen the ocean
a handful of times
having grown up
landlocked
with only
the blue gray
of lake michigan
as a reference

the first time
it seemed angry
in its wrath
as the waves
bashed the land
for as far
as i could see
down the coast

the second time
wasn’t really
the ocean at all
but the gulf of mexico
and to be honest
it wasn’t much different
just water
with a bit too much salt

i will leave
the seas to metaphors
for her
or it
or whatever
as clearly i am not
one for hidden depths
or boundless hope