Is it air or sea between us

That holds the weight of what we are?

It cannot be a stream or path

As they lack in open expanse.

Wide, that is what it’s like for us,

And I say sea thanks to their shores;

It’s not so much that we float

Every move we make to nowhere

Or have them land like planes and birds.

Are we more the sea or shore?

It’s possible we could be both,

Able to wash into ourselves

By a magical fluke of birth.

In this sea that we are, waves pound

Only because we’re together,

And floating words to another

Is dependent on the weather.

Some have been like the essence of this sea

And given us things to bond over.

Toby Ratcliffe grew up in Brisbane and now lives in Hobart, where the streets and views of Battery Point inspire him. He has worked as a teacher for several years, and enjoys writing poetry, essays and short stories in his spare time. In the future, he hopes to publish a collection of his poetry.