Beatification (fragment)

…And all the world looks different when you walk
and all the land becomes a whispering
of bent seagrass which bows towards the shore
and bright beach flowers’ bold awakening.
When the march of time is measured by your steps
and the sun’s progress across the arching sky,
by the pulse, the heartbeat and intake of breath
which chart our course towards eternity.
Away, away from roads – where refuge is
embraced by sea and land on days like these.
There are no limits to our pilgrimage
save those we place upon ourselves, yet still
we map the land, and measure every pace,
treat each adventure as an act of will.
But still, be still! And listen to the tide
a story often told, but rarely heard
and keep all of your senses open wide
until you can repeat it, word for word.