Waves of Emotion

Gabriel Etheridge

Age 11

Waves of Emotion

Feelings come through the day. Waves rock, tides shift. I feel angry, sad, confused . . . The sea is always calm before a storm. The sea feels warm to touch. There is a light breeze, and all is well. The wind starts getting increasingly stronger. The storm is here. First, come the waves of sadness. They feel dark and empty. You want to succumb; I crumple and drop down. It feels like you are trapped in the never-ending wave, no visible light, or way in or out. It pulls you down, but yet you get back up . . .

Then, come the waves of anger, the water rises and gets hotter. Harsh and angry thoughts start to bubble and rise to the surface. All you can think about is tearing down someone else to take out your anger. Your head throbs with pain and rage. The waves become slightly cooler but still sizzle, and frustration washes over you. The pain throbbing in your head increases. You are suddenly annoyed with everyone and everything in your surrounding. You try to scream, but you find you can’t. You can’t seem to do anything but ball up your fists and live out the pain that feels neverending . . .

Until the sea gets colder. It grows so cold that you are numb. The sea whips from one side to the other. Anxiety and worried thoughts fill your head. You wonder what if . . . what if they never come back, what if they’re lost, what if that’s the last time I see them. You crumble, succumbing to the waves once again. Tears stream down your face as you slowly begin to slowly grow colder and colder.

A warm breeze calls out from the storm. It feels soft against the face, and it seems familiar and calming. It’s like a friend. It slowly eases you out of the cold and numb state. Your tear-stricken face sees the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. It seems far, but you paddle all you can. You slowly emerge from the storm to the quiet, warm sea. The sea is calm before a storm, and there is always a way out after.