The Feeling

The Feeling
by Gabe Redel


Over the ocean was the sunset
that he felt all over his body
and in his eyes.
It warmed his skin
and lifted his spirit.
It filled him with colors
and let him believe that he was special
to be standing near it.

He brushed his hair back
and took in the scent of the salty water
pulling at his feet in the tide.
Foam gathered on the hair
of his legs.

Up ahead in his day
he had only visions
of fine food and brilliant conversation
with people who he knew were far greater
than most others.

The muscles in his body
felt like stones rolling down the bluff.
They were gaining intensity
with every second that passed.

Another was walking the morning beach as well.
“Beautiful morning,” she spoke to him.
“Yes, the best I’ve seen. Would you
please take my picture?
I do not want to forget these wonderful colors.”

She took the phone
and centered the shot
to include all the splendor of the landscape
that surrounded him.

He grinned and peered
from the corner of his eyes.
“Thank you.” He smiled to her
before she continued along her path.

A world famous diner
at the corner of two famous boulevards
was oiling up the first batch
of its breakfast biscuits and pastries.
The fine aroma
grumbled his tummy
and put a sweet flavor in his mouth.

This photo, he thought, I am going to look
so good in this photo.

The phone lit up in his hand.
He opened the gallery
excited to see how impressive he would appear
against the glory of the morning ocean under sunset.

The photo popped up
and when he put his eyes on it
his enthusiasm hit the bottom
of the deepest trench
the ocean could have ever dug.

It fell
hitting every rock on its way
to the dark, cold floor
of where many had fallen before,
but in it he was alone.

The picture that he believed would be magnificent
only showed the truth of the man who stood in it.
His arms and his chest did not hold the power he had imagined.
His legs did not resemble the strength
that he believed was in him.
The expression on his face
was not of the angelic light
that reflected from the heavens at the horizon.
All he could see
were the eyes of a sleepy person
who had a funny grin.