She stands on the threshold,
bare feet on rocks;
cap on cranium,
hands on hips,
baby in belly,
toddler secure on the sand.

Waves lap at her shins,
cooling off her torrid skin,
calling her to go deeper;
waves like the placenta
keeping her baby safe inside.

She walks to deeper water,
leaving her toddler at the shore;
allowing cool water to envelop her,
letting the ocean protect her,
giving her strength to carry on.

Photo by Timothy Meinberg on Unsplash.