Dandelions and the Ocean Air

 

Standing on the edge of the cliff,

I’m staring into the sea,

My problems fade with receding waves,

I wonder if I have finally found peace.

 

I see a family having a picnic,

The baby is laughing and crooning,

She looks whimsical in a way,

I find myself smiling at her.

 

I sit down on the grass,

Blowing dandelion puffs,

I breathe in the cool ocean air,

I feel my troubles abate.

 

I find myself standing at the edge of the cliff again,

I came here to find peace.

To catch my breath,

I look around and feel placid.

 

At night I lay on the terrace,

I look at the stars and dwell upon my day,

I think of the crooning baby,

I think of the dandelion seeds floating in the wind.

 

Ghosts of my worries haunt me,

I think of the cliff again.

I don’t want to drown in my worries,

I want to float on waves of my happiness.

 

I want to live an insouciant life,

Not one where my worries dominate

But one which stifles them.

 

-Pranavi Vaishnava