She Runs to the Ocean

She runs to the ocean
like she is meeting an old friend,
troubles spilling from her like tea
as she dashes to the waterline, 
digging bare toes into wet sand 
and laughing as gentle wavelets 
and pillows of seafoam
lick at her ankles in welcome.

She runs to the ocean,
arms wide and lips parted
in a jubilation so profound
drops of joy streak from her eyes
as she’s captured in the wild embrace
of salt and sand, sea and sky.
Grounded, yet euphoric,
she waltzes with the waves—alive.