On June 25, 1984, at 12:01 a.m., after what seemed like a forever trip from Washington, D.C., I landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to begin my 41 years of life to date in Southern California, and man, it’s been one helluva life. The following is my tribute to both the myths of life in Southern California and the comfort I have found in those myths.

The sand fills my shoes  
   	I hate when that happens
The water soaks my socks  
   	The squish squish squish unnerves me
The sky fills my field of vision  
   	overwhelming me always  

Sun rays bouncing off the atmosphere  
   	reminding me  
Some things in life you cannot control

Sitting at the edge of the sand
	my feet propped up  
On the low wall
	as I try my hardest to stay dry  
And free of the sand

Sand  Water  Sky

I don’t swim
	you’ll never catch me surfing
Maybe you’ll find me on a small sailboat 
   	like the time I ended up in the Potomac
Or a cruise ship 
   	like the time through the Caribbean in ‘83
Eating my way through the islands 
   	enduring a dying love

The brave ones
those 
who don’t mind a little sand in their shoes
A wet sock
	a cold dash of water rubbing against their skin
riding the waves
	playing with 
Dolphins sharks and jellyfish

I enjoy cheering them on
	captivated by the California myth 
Dreaming of a house on the beach
	With the water and the sky 
Painting their dreams

Sand  Water  Sky

I don’t swim 
	or ride the waves
In fact
	to avoid the micro rocks 
	in my shoes
I don’t even lay out on a blanket

The ocean
	filling my socks with excuses
Why it wants me to trust it
	it’s been there for millions of years 
Since the beginning of time
	the water
Along with the sand
	its other friend
The sky

Sand  Water  Sky

I sit at the edge of America
	scanning the horizon
Dreaming
	what’s on the other side of this vision 

A thought 
A moment 

The time spent
	wondering 
How I got so lucky
	to join the army of beach huggers
Who arrive every day
	to dig in the sand
To poke their toes into the water
	let the sun warm them
With peace and love

I love
	sitting on the edge of America 
Knowing
	this is where
I will be forever
	because I was reborn 
To be here

Sand  Water  Sky

Free spirits relaxing
	my face to the sky
My arms
	hands extended
Welcoming
	the life force 

I am alive
	in peace 
And love

Sand Water Sky.