It is said that before entering the sea a river trembles with fear.

—Khalil Gibran

I relish days in solitude

languishing in this estuary

before being propelled 

into the merciless ocean 

Swallow me 

like the whale did Jonah

harbor me in your underbelly

from a world that 

                                     bites

                                     claws

                                     stings

Pulled under 

I transform

rise sleek as a mermaid

virginal as a newborn

courageous as Athena