All In

When I have borne witness
to more pain than I can carry,
I sometimes take a walk
along the seashore of my mind.

I surrender the heartaches I hold
to the crashing waves,
let them be washed away
into the vastness.

I listen only to the rhythms
of the water,
of my breath,
of my footsteps
until my mind quiets
and peace returns.

When I turn back,
I see home
and the people I love
from a distance-
so beautiful,
so dear.
Renewed,
I return to the only life
I could ever want.

By Maria Brady-Smith