Innocence

The Ocean

I want to arrive at the edge of the ocean 
again, as if for the first time, always,
and hear my youngest say,
"Boats are on it."  And,
"The sand is everywhere."  And,
"The water moves."

Those who survive horrific car crashes in their youth
know innocence makes up words like okay and fine and sure.

Sometimes getting down on hands and knees and looking
under the sofa for the baby in the stroller helps doubt.

A daughter in a green-blue-and-black-striped bathing suit
stands against the white sand perpetually outlined in light.

Joy heard through the sighs of those who lose beloved pets
wraps any words preachers say to loosely threaded posts.