I wrote this piece in a creative writing class during my senior year in high school.  It demonstrates how I've always been drawn to the ocean, but at the same time I am terrified of it's power to take my life with one quick swoosh.  I think I may be frightened of the thought of how DEEP the water is more than the thought of drowning.  It is not a finished, beautifully honed piece...but, I just rediscovered it and intend to work on it.  Any criticisms are welcome! 

Ocean

Daring me, tempting me
drawing me closer, closer
caressing my feet,
soothing my legs
massaging my back,
I'm hypnotized  by my melting stress...

When my eyes turn to see
a wave three feet over me
rumbling like a rabid juggernaut,
it trips me, wallops my skull
shoving me forward head first
like a pushmower
over it's scraping, jagged lawn

Lungs aching
through frozen minutes
I can't breathe,
I can't breathe,
I CAN'T BREATHE!

Violently, I'm coughed up on the shore
gagging and shaking,
hearing it's deep rolling laughter
as it retreats,
drawing more victims
to it's brutal pleasure.

J.E.N....1998