As the excitement swells,
the salty air finally touches my face.
The familiar tropical breeze, slow and calm.
Frantically slipping off my flip flops.
The rough, worn down boardwalk under my feet.
I step to the very edge and feel the sand.

Psyching myself up, I step out of the car.
The smell of gasoline and dead fish
coupled with the nerves makes me sick.
My rash guard shirt sticking to my damp skin.
Pulling my hair into a messy ponytail.
Walking down the doc trying to balance as it sways.
I step up to the very edge and then down onto the jet ski.

The hard sand hits the bottom of my sore feet.
Ankle deep water splashing against my legs.
Early morning sun, rising out of the ocean.
Random, tiny shells clutched tightly in my small hand.
Small fish and snails float around in my sand pail.
The little adventurer in me smiles,
for I have made it to the very edge of the island.

Floating in the slightly cold water.
Sticking my toes in the smooth sand,
feeling for the next treasure to be found.
Standing alone looking at the overcast sky,
hearing the soft crash of the small waves hitting the shore.
Suddenly startled at what emerges out of the water.
The very edge of a dorsal fin of a young shark.

Pulling hard on the small invisible fishing line,
getting close to the end as the weight of the discarded line
cuts into my hands after minutes of endless pulling.
Realizing that there is something alive struggling to get free.
Adrenaline surges through my veins causing my hands to shake.
I successfully dislodge the hook out of the sting rays mouth.
Quickly flipping him over and pushing his tired body back towards the water,
he slowly turns back to me as he reaches the very edge of the shell line
then disappears under a wave.  

Cars moving quickly down the highway.
Rolling hills surrounded by dense forests.
The city skyline rising up on the horizon.
No sand to be found, only dirt.
No soft breeze or glowing sunset.
The longing to be back at the beach growing stronger.
Finally realizing that where I belong
is the very edge where the land meets the salty blue sea.