I breathe in the salt
crusting over my lungs
with crystals stuck
together
How dangerous a breath
Yet how undeterred it must
Be
to be so strong
it leaves a mark each time
My chest heaves
Each time it sends some
Of itself
into the vessels covering me
pushing new parts
into my skin until all I am
Is white grains and water

That’s what it’s like
to love the ocean.

KH