She is the woman
who fans my feet
when I swim
She buoys me
Calms my mind
Soothes my body
She is the history of
the middle passage
taking those of us who
decided to endure the journey
to safety
She is the protector
of fishermen
holding her breath when
they cast their nets
being invisible wings
when they dive into her belly
She regulates the
sea and women’s cycle
spawning the next generation
to live out their dreams
She is water-ocean
vigorous and energizing
the head of yesterday
and the tail of tomorrow
Opal Palmer Adisa 