I remember the feel
of the soft sand between my toes
before the clear blue water rushed up
and swallowed my ankles.

I remember the feel
of burning my arms on the boogie board
time after time
and
time after time
getting back on.

I remember the feel
of the power hungry waves
plucking me out of the ocean
and propelling me towards shore
my trusted board in hand.

I remember the feel
of the bright sun
pleasantly warming my face
sitting under a canopy
mid day
listening to my audiobook.

I remember the feel
of hopping
up on the big hunk of foam,
the momentary high
consuming me
before I took a tumble
into the sand
and scraped the skin off my hip.

I remember the feel of Topsail Island.