Ocean Waves
Word Count: 1,100
An exploration of queer identity and what it means to take the secrets you were forced to keep and instead turn them to strength. Written for @lionpridezines
Ocean waves move constantly and consistently, grabbing secrets from the shore and pulling them out to sea. All day and night they work, tirelessly. Since the beginning of time. In. Out. In. Out.
The waves continued to work, undisturbed, as a young girl found herself standing on the edge of the shore, hiding in the dim moonlight that struggled to illuminate the deserted beach. She had run there and was now breathless. Like the ocean waves, her chest heaved. In. Out. In. Out.
Her eyes darted back and forth, looking for someone to catch her, to scold her. She looked to the ocean, half-expecting it to reprimand her itself.
The moon reflected on the steady waters which refused to condemn this child. Stardust mingled with sea foam. Sand squelched beneath her bare toes, offering her a form of comfort. As her fear slowly dissipated, her heart hung heavy, yearning for something–a form of release, a helping hand, comforting words, anything.
Taking a breath, the child gave her secret to the ocean, entrusting it with the truth she was too afraid to tell anyone else. The gulls responded to her call, but before they could steal the thoughts that plagued her heart and feast on them with their gossip, the ocean waves covered her words and swept them away in a swirl of foam and starlight.
