Rebecca Drouilhet
The Birth of Venus
In the painting, she stands on a large half shell floating atop the ocean, naked and beautiful, her long hair flowing in the wind. Legends say she was born in an instant, full-grown at the time of her creation. My own trek into adulthood had been plagued by false starts, and just weeks shy of my twenty-first birthday, I was still more child than woman. For many long miles I had traveled on a pilgrimage across the continent towards the ocean, hoping that by discovering my country, I might discover myself—and learn how to go on
There is magic in the ocean. One step at a time I walked toward it, not glancing behind to see my footprints. There was no going back. I walked on until the waves swallowed me, and when I rose, the sun had crested the horizon. Standing up, I could feel the sea wind blowing my long hair about my face. Botticelli should have been there.
changing tide the shoreline shifts inch by inch
About the Author
Rebecca Drouilhet is a retired registered nurse who lives in Picayune, Mississippi, in the Deep South region. Her work had appeared in many venues and has won several awards. She likes reading, word games and listening to the rain.