pearls

it's almost night on the Tyrrhenian Sea 

homes glow like stars on the cliffside 

and waves of green lap against the side of the boat 

there is a storm approaching, 

and clouds of deep gray, 

almost purple 

roll across the sky 

veiling the bay with mist and fog 

this is the realization of her dream

she dips her fingertips into the water

it's cold

but not cold enough to stop her from standing on the bow,

and taking off her robe of silk

to jump into the mystical blue

underwater, her golden hair surrounds her like a halo

and her skin is pale as moonlight 

she's aware that she could choose not to emerge from the blue

and keep sinking deeper into the abyss of the salty sea

but she's too much in love to leave this earth now

life feels too tangible to let go of

when love holds on tight. 

when she surfaces, her skin glistens in the lingering light of sunset

her eyes are full of love

and the pearls around her neck gleam 

she has made it. 

it is as if heaven is now

and heaven can be forever.