I am from the ocean,
From sunglasses and swimsuits.
Having goggle marks on my face,
My hair never dry.
People always yelling,
“Come back, it’s late.”
I smirk and travel even further,
Feeling at home.

I am from the ocean,
The sand at the bottom
That keeps your secrets hidden.
From seaweed, the green and slimy
Plant that grows under the surface.
Where dolphins and whales swim with me
Through the crystal clear water.

I am from the ocean,
A place salt is never scarce.
The taste that stays on your
Lips hours after swimming and
Makes your food taste like salt even
Though you’ve tried washing it off hundreds of times.
The salty smell that creeps up your
Nose from even miles away.

I am from the ocean,
No doubt in my mind.
But in reality, I’m from Michigan.
A place with no ocean,
With snow instead of sand,
Deer instead of fish
And pine trees in place of palm trees.
No ocean to call home here.