A Reconciliation...... Poem by RIC BASTASA

recently the sea had taken
so many lives
people did not want to eat fish
for a while
some coconut trees were uprooted
the wind did not have second thoughts
showing its greatness
through its cruelty
blowing away houses and
leaving children homeless
and couples
traumatized
someone killed himself the other day
and others
looked blank
staring to the gray sands of the shore

today the sea is appealing
it is a piece of silk
smooth and calm and
too inviting
like a beautiful woman waiting to be
embraced by my arms

it is this act of reconciliation
and gratitude for being saved
i too could have died
if i did not go to the friend's birthday party

i have no choice
but to take my dip and swim for hours

above me is the sun seemingly smiling
underneath are the fish
playing with the cleansed corals
and dancing seaweeds.