Oceanic Intoxication

I'm in love with clear waters

or ocean blue or turquoise of

the gulf in the midday sun,

any body of water that will

caress my arms and legs with

a cooling embrace not unlike

friendly licks from the

neighborhood dog.

I'm in love with warm sand

or pearly white grains or

hidden troves filled with shells

as they slide between my bare

toes and edge up the holes in

my jeans or try to cling to me

long after the summer's heat

has faded.

I'm in love with not breathing

as my lungs burn and search

for air beneath the waves and

I imagine I am a mermaid or

mollusk or that one is bound

to lift me up and save me at

any moment.

Just one more second here,

in this other-world, please.

I'm about to attend an

underwater tea party.