*

*

Turning right off the Pacific Coast Highway

the dirt road becomes sand

ocean fills my nostrils, my ears

at the road’s end is the house

bamboo blinds down, but waiting

*

While parents unload the car

I run across the patio

fling off my flip-flops

tumble downstairs to the beach

*

Hot sand and slick kelp

waves swirl to my knees

dogs splash and bark

my paradise, my ocean mother

I’m home again