
I drive 200 miles to the ocean.
I sit alone, drink OJ spiked with
absolut, watch gulls, listen to the
hisssss hummmm of the tide, hear
my own thoughts wave, then subside,
medicate myself with saltwater
and too many cigarettes, promise
myself I will stop tomorrow, make
my way back to a vacant hotel room
where I dare to flirt with a balcony breeze,
sieze moments of solitude by documenting
them in black and white as journal entries,
then drive 200 miles home to paint
my page with watercolor memories.