At Last I've Tasted The Deep

An Easter Sunday Poem

I first had the idea for this poem on my honeymoon, when we slept with the windows open to hear the water of Kauai. I’ve never made total peace with the ocean and I’ve never found myself quite able to trust it. But as I steadily fell asleep to the sounds of waves each night, I realized it was such a beautiful metaphor for my relationship with God.

I wanted to share with you this poem I wrote, on Easter Sunday, to celebrate and commemorate that relationship. It’s called Psalms 93:4:

---

Psalms 93:4

The Ocean. 
I’ve never been its greatest enthusiast.
Beautiful, yes, but full of death. 
Its undercurrent has buried thousands, 
Treacherous waters, home to lurking beasts, 
Always pulling, spinning, devouring 
Glory on the surface, ruin underneath 
A paradise that hides its hunger. 
Where the whispers of Heaven pull like the pit

-

One day, chased by the noise of the world, 
I fled to The Ocean                                                                                                            Who met me with arms that held storms 
And eyes carved from time’s beginning 
There, the waves thundered an ancient hymn, 
Salt stung my lips—then soothed like grace. 
The sun laid a blessing on my face, 
And something in me stilled–
A quiet understanding that only comes 
From this moment, 
And a million more like it.

-

Now, I open my window at night 
To hear The Ocean’s lullaby 
Waves crashing upon the shore, 
A boat horn in the distance, 
Bidding peace to the shore behind it. 
Surfers return, 
Their glowing laughter curling 
Around the edge of a campfire. 
And I rest in the darkness, where sleep meets me like a friend 
The Ocean keeps lookout 
With a spirit that never tires 
Peace beyond understanding, 
Beside nature’s fiercest force. 
My dreams are calm. My breath, poised. 
He is my watchman in the dark— 
A champion of my defense. 
Unmoving, unmatched, unafraid.

-

At last, 
I’ve tasted the deep
And found it sweet.

---

"Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty." - Psalms 93:4

Happy Easter, friends.

-linds