I belong by the sea

  

Perhaps I belong by the sea.

Is that where I will feel most like me?

Writing poetry and prose by the cliffs,

Cherishing my Irish heritage gifts.

Wearing a warm rough wool sweater,

And drinking tea that’s so much better.

Breathing in the bites of windy air,

In my grandmother’s ancestral County Clare.

Perhaps I belong by the sea.

Is that where I will feel most like me?

Taking a refreshing dip in the clear blue,

Taking in the prehistoric mountain views.

Smelling lavender mixed in the clean air,

Living the island life without a care.

It feels so close that once was far,

In my grandfather’s ancestral Hvar.

Lunch with Myself

 I met myself 10 years younger for lunch today 

We both stepped out of little white cars 

She had on those urban outfitters bdg skinny jeans and I wore my mom jeans from target

We both had water with no ice, just like Grandpa

We notice each other’s eyebrows but choose not to comment.

“Do you still think about that boy?” 

“Sometimes.”

We split a cheeseburger.

She said she worries she’s not good enough. Not smart enough. Not together enough. I tell her about my successful career, my beautiful village, how I get to go on trips multiple times a year. I think I’m smarter and more together than most at this point.

We talk about Ushi. She says Ushi will be turning 5 this year. I say that she’ll be turning 15 this year. We agree she is just a baby.

She mentions visiting Grandma & Grandpa while she’s home from college. I tell her about how I have a gallery wall just like the one in their kitchen that consists of my own travel treasures and a few favorites from Grandma & Grandpa’s travels.

We hold each other’s hands across the table. “I’m okay. Everything is okay.”

She pulls out her iPhone 5 and I pull out my iPhone 15 to check the time. We really should be going.