The Beach After The Rain​

No one on the beach beside the lone man in black, traces of footsteps, the birds, and me. Even the bird lady has called it a day, although she has been there on the clock every single sunset, throwing morsels to the birds. Tonight, sun rays are breaking through the clouds, hinting at a greater presence, something you might like to pray to if you were so inclined.​

There’s a particular smell at the beach after the rain. Perhaps it’s the ocean churning the salt, the iodine, and the algae, mixed with a smell of deep cleanliness, which smells like nothing at all, just blank and empty, and when there’s no one around like tonight, you can fool yourself into believing you can start everything again from a clean slate. No mistakes, no regrets, no baggage, and what a pleasant delusion that is.

I entertain it for a while: I am in this brand new place where no one knows me and no one will see all my faults and longings; no attachments, only wings to flap and join the chorus of flying creatures circling overhead, a place where I can shake off the lingering depression inherited from Covid and pretend I’m twenty again, full of joy and anticipation with the world at my reach. I’ll pray for a brand new me.

#getoutside #regrets #longing #smelloftheocean #cleanslate

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