The Sea

This morning was strange.
For a dull mist hung in the air,
And a breathless silence came from the sea,
Unusual for the season.
I ventured out onto the beach,
Where my footsteps left their mark,
But the sand was otherwise untouched,
With no lapping of the waves.
The cry of a gull shattered the calm,
And then I spied the ivory bird, circling overhead.
It flew to the ground, then settled,
And stood before me, blinking its beady eyes.
"Haven't you heard? Haven't you heard?"
Its rasping voice was far from clear,
"The sea has left to cleanse itself,"
And then, with a flutter, it departed,
Into the mist, never to be seen again.
I rested on the sand and pondered for a while,
For the words of the gull were playing on me,
Then I heard that familiar gushing sound.
It grew to a roar as the mist rose,
And with a crash the breakers appeared,
Covering me in an instant.
I felt the wetness on my tongue,
The taste was odd but then I realised.
I lustily splashed in the tingling depths,
Revelling in pure salt water.