Ocean Graveyard - Ava N. De La Cruz Pagan

Art Credit: Ava N. De La Cruz Pagan

if you stand by the shore                                                                                          

 and if you have tears

                                                                                                          you can spare

                                                          d

          r                                                  

o                                                  

p      

                                                           them 

                         into the sea

where water fairies 

on clouds 

carry teardrops in 

their white foam dresses

and ride away 

into the blue

                                                             laying to rest

                                             the troubles

                                    you bubble

                       from your eyes

 into the ocean graveyard

creating white flaked snow 

for the living abyss 

to swallow

and know 

and finally birth 

the warm child

from the cold of nothingness 

inheriting that heartless 

thoughtless sting  

mother gave 

from all her crying

Ava N. De La Cruz Pagan is currently a senior here at Fresno State, and she is a Creative Writing Major; however, this is the first time she has submitted any work to the San Joaquin Review! She finds herself too scared to voice anything, even in writing! Yet, she finds herself taking this chance, even if it's the last day to submit! This is her first published piece.