Tears of Salt
I need this.
More
than
anything.
More
than
you.
Do
not
be angry.
I take
my shoes
off and walk
to where
I know
I can
fill my soul.
I can
not explain
it.
As I walk
the
sand
washes
away
all the
wrongs.
The bad
decisions.
The things
I wish
I could
change.
I feel
the tears
stream down
my face.
Because
this is not
what I want.
Or how
I want it.
I get
closer
to my temple,
my church
my forgiver.
This place
can heal
and I am
ready.
I see the
ocean
and I walk out
on the sandbar.
The ocean
breeze
floats
down
my throat
and takes
all those mistakes
and regrets
away.
I walk into
the water
and let
the salt water
do what it
should do,
Fix,
Heal.
This is
the most
honest
place I know.
I swim
until
my arms feel
like heavy weights.
I walk
out of
the ocean.
Knowing,
I can be better.
As I walk through
the sand,
I see you
waiting
for me.
The salt
water
from my tears
is mixing
with the
ocean salt
water.
Under my
breath
I whisper
your name.
You are my
safe place
and I love
your honest
eyes.
You understand
my tears of
salt.
___
Technical Notes:
Tears of Salt was a creative joint venture between photographer Bill McNamee and poet Christina Gabsa. The photo and poem were paired intentionally, each offering its own voice while complementing the other. Originally published on Kerrsplat!! on March 2, 2016, the collaboration marked a thoughtful intersection of visual and written expression.
Christina Gabsa is a poet and writer with a distinct creative voice. Her work can be found at her website, My Red Shell Writings, and in her book Teachings of the Olive Trees and Bumblebees on Amazon.
The image was captured using a Canon DSLR and the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS lens. The 16:10 aspect ratio was used to emphasize the image’s height and draw the eye through the vertical space. Post-processing was done in Adobe Lightroom, with adjustments made to deepen the tones and bring out the details and textures.