Song of the Wave

Song of the Wave

The strong shore is my beloved

and I am his sweetheart.

We are at last united by love, 

and then the moon draws me from him.

I go to him in haste and depart

reluctantly, with many

little farewells.

I steal swiftly from behind the

blue horizon to cast the silver of

my foam upon the gold of his sand, 

and we blend in melted brilliance.

I quench his thirst and submerge his heart; 

he softens my voice and subdues my temper.

At dawn I whisper the rules of love to him,

and he embraces me longingly.

At eventide I sing to him the song of hope, 

and then print smooth kisses upon his face;

I am swift and fearful, but he

is quiet, patient, and thoughtful. 

His broad bosom soothes my restlessness.

As the tide comes we caress each other,

and when it withdraws, 

I drop to his feet in prayer.

Many times have I danced around mermaids

as they rose from the depths and rested

upon my crest to watch the stars.

Many times have I heard lovers lost

in the vastness, and I echoed their sighs.

Many times have I teased the great rocks

and fondled them with a smile, but never

have I received laughter from them.

Many times have I lifted drowning souls

And carried them tenderly to my beloved shore.

He gives them strength as in turn he takes mine.

Many times have I stolen gems from the

depths and presented them to my beloved shore.

He takes them in silence, but still I give,

for he welcomes me ever again.

In the heaviness of night, when all

creatures seek the ghost of slumber, 

I sit up, singing at one time

and sighing at another. 

I am awake always.

Alas! Sleeplessness has weakened me!

But I am a lover, and the truth of love is strong.

I may be weary, but I shall never die.

Khalil Gibran