Sunday Beaches

The azure waves, painted with a bronze-red coat, lively awoke under the receding glow of the sun. As time grew long, and the waves lapped further and further amongst the sand, the sun departed leaving behind nothing but the pink fragmented clouds. I sat, feeling the wind tickle the tiny spaces between my toes, and feeling the chilling waters hollow the sand beneath my heels. My hair danced in the wind, often times obscuring my eyes from the bewildering view.

Oh, what a night it was. A night that began like most nights. But a night I knew would never end.

Just as the last gleam of light dissipated into the stars, my eyes locked onto the black sea. As I shut my eyes, I still could vividly see the twilight playground; the waves swinging back and forth; the tide playfully digging in the sand, uncovering hidden treasures; and the moon, watching the workings of its wild child.

My phone, which laid next to me, began to buzz. I watched as the tiny morsels of sand began to dance on the screen, hopping around like popcorn. I smiled, and watched again and again, call after call, until all the tiny grains fell from its sloped sides. And although all the sand had fallen, the calls did not. So, I criss-crossed my legs, like the pretzels I always craved when walking through shopping malls, and I stretched out my arms. I placed my hands on the dry mounds, grazing my fingers through the sand. And at once, I clasped my hands together, trapping bits of sand within the wrinkles of my palms. I lifted the magnificence up to my eyes, and I stared, seeing the mosaic of beach decorating my skin. I slapped my hands back together, and began to rub them back and forth, watching one by one the grains of sand falling onto my vibrating phone. I laugh as I watch them all dance.

Eventually, they stopped calling, and my game had ended. Saddened by this change of events, I picked up my sandy phone and it skipped across the tar waves of the sea, witnessing its light descend to the depths, until all fell black. I began to laugh again. Oh how beautiful it was! The monotonous control of the ocean, consuming all things bright and colorful! The power, the majesty, the wonder! My eyes yearned to feel that power; understand that power; have that power.

I stood, the wind breaking hard against my back, causing me to stumble forward. My toes were licked by the outstretched tide. And although it tickled, I held back my laughter, but rather uncovered my wide-tooth grin.

The wan lighting of the moon was all I needed to witness the miraculous event that unfolded next. For, seemingly out of nowhere, a path of light sprouted in the sand before my feet. It twisted among the sandy beach, just out of reach of the water. I ran, jumping and twirling in my illuminated path. The salty mist of the crashing waves collided with my cheerful tears. And oddly enough, for although mature and tall, I felt in this moment like a jovial child being chased by my mother. In fact, with each turn I took, I would peer over my shoulder, almost expecting to see her standing there. Of course, impossible, but I can’t describe the feeling I had to you in any other way.

Soon, I grew tired, and the sweat above my brows began to dip into my eyes. And, as all know, salt burns. So I stopped and wiped my eyes and caught my breath. And when I opened them, my trail of light had changed. It still shined brightly, but this time it was was glistening, for it trailed down into the depths of the water. Oh, what a sight to see! The opaque black ocean severed by a dazzling strip of light. For the power it must have, this blinding light, for it seemed to overcome the blotting tendencies of the pitiful black.

I took a step forward, submerging my foot into its glow, and at once I felt new. With each step I continued to take, I felt my skin grow cold; not a terrifying cold, but rather one that was tranquil and calming. Waist deep now, I feel the ocean embracing me. She holds me close, inviting me to dance with her, to sing with her! I call out, singing louder than I have ever before, to the mystical beauty before me. I continue down the arcane path of light.

Neck deep, blushing as the ocean tries to kiss me, I smile. But just as I’m about to witness her full beauty, I hear my name called behind me. It’s my mother’s voice. I close my eyes, and tell myself it’s not her—it’s impossible. Yet, I still feel tempted to look. But see! Look how far I’ve come. Look how deep I’ve gotten. Why turn now when I know that what lays beyond is far more beautiful than my mother’s smile; brighter than those white dresses she wore on Sunday; and all the while, quieter than her resting heart?

I open my eyes now, but I dare not turn. And as I take my final step, I can hear my mother screaming. But I do not turn, not towards her at least. But rather, I turn toward the ocean. And as my eyes turn black in the depths of the sea, my burning path is extinguished, and fall asleep in the ocean bed.