When I look at this I seeThe ocean obviously becauseThere’s the ocean thereWhite capped and violentSaltyBlue Ruminating on itselfBut I also see other pictures in my headA seagull stealing the last bite right out of my handThe way sand can cover you Almost to the point of going underAll the times I was ever awayWarm FreeAnd simultaneously worried about going backAnd the wave I thinkI think it draws you in, doesn’t itOr does it repel youPush you awayYou feel it too rightHow attracted you can beTo powerTo things bigger than yourselfTo answers that engulf you and take away the chance of Drowning in themAlmost like you can hear itYou hear it rightCome on in the water’s fine

Welcome to The ALIVE hour.

Illustration: Shannon ColonAudio, music: Chloe Riley

Things found in real life:

* My friend Libby and I enjoying a meal in the world together:

* This cute little cup that also joined us for lunch:

Things found on the internet:

* This part of this Mary Oliver poem “August” posted by my friend Katie:

* This quote from an interview with Lin-Manuel Miranda with regard to his feature film directional debut of “Tick, Tick…Boom!” (an adaptation of the semi-autographical musical from Jonathan Larson of “Rent” fame):

“That last song is all questions, but the real question is: Fear or love? If you get yourself into a place of fear, of “What are people going to say about what I write?,” you’re fucked. It’s over. And that’s a place I have to really push past now in a different way.”

* This comic about a charming French murderer from the extremely talented Sulagna Misra (see full comic here):

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for telling me how you feel.

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for being in my life in this way.

Thank you.

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