C. A. Jackson

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Oceans

The sea makes sparkling shapes for human lives—
Foam surges to adventure,
And spindrift laughter
Sets sail on a spray of rainbow.
Under the sun, we plant by tides.
At night the ocean breathes us
Down to sea caves
In our dreams.
Although we know the dread of distant waves
On a midnight shore,
We are mostly seals
Nosing into a green wind
From a tangy island,
Place of a half-forgotten birth.

C. A. Jackson is a former New Englander living in South Florida and hankering for the cold salt spray of the North Atlantic.