Mystical Ocean Essay, Research Paper

Sarah stood at the top of the cliff, her toes curled around the edge of the

jagged rocks. She glanced briefly down towards the circular, blue pool, which

appeared to be the size of a laundry bucket from this height. She knew from

experience that if she hesitated, paused to gather courage, it would only make

it harder to take the step into space. She drew in a deep breath, counted to

herself, ?One, two, three? and placed her life in the hands of gravity. As

she descended, the magical power and speed of falling through the sunlight and

then plunging into the water exhilarated her. It was always the same and yet the

rush she experienced, felt as thrilling as the first time. As she broke the

surface of the water, any remaining oxygen escaped from her lungs. Upon

surfacing, she would give her golden, brown hair a shake and gasp for air, while

trying to cope with the adrenalin that bolted through her veins. She awoke from

this pleasant reflection with a grin on her face. It wasn?t until she began to

regain full consciousness that the sinister fingers of her dreadful disease

reached around her chest and began to squeeze. The daily shock of realisation

confronted her. Every morning she had to face the horrific facts, again and

again and again. Lying back in her bed, she listened to the small birds

whistling cheerfully outside. She couldn?t help reminding herself of how

pointless and irrational it was to resent the native birds, which sat on the

dry, summer twigs. Finally, she could not bear to listen to them any more. They

could dance so freely, then stretch their wings and fly away. Sarah?s thoughts

were disturbed by her mother?s loud entrance to the room. As always she was

trying her absolute best to sound cheerful and indirectly supportive. ?How are

you feeling?? she inquired compassionately. ?Simply fantastic!? Sarah

replied sarcastically. Her mother attempted to ignore the bitter remark but was

visibly affected by Sarah?s recent cynical attitude. Sarah, although noticing

her mother?s discomfort refused to make eye contact or soften her harsh

comments. ?How would you feel lying in this bed day after day?? she asked

angrily. ?I could take you for a walk in your chair along the beach later, if

you want? her mother offered encouragingly. ?I?ve told you, I hate that

chair and when are you going to get ithe damn thing out of my room?, shouted

Sarah. She stared accusingly at her mother and then at the dull, silver

wheelchair, sitting beside her bed. Sarah hated that chair, refusing to use it

and resented her mother for Vbos No. 97194015 T leaving it in her room. ?Get

it out!? Sarah roared once again. Despondently Sarah?s mother turned and

wheeled the chair out of her room. Silently Sarah?s nurse entered the room. A

small Asian woman, she rarely if ever spoke. Slowly she fed Sarah breakfast;

spoon-fed like a child. Frustration and anger grew within Sarah, as the most

mundane tasks were now beyond her capabilities. As the nurse gently bathed

Sarah?s legs, she wistfully remembered when she had full use of her limbs.

Tanned, defined, strong, her legs were an object of desire. Now they were little

more than two thin, brittle twigs. She envied her nurse as she moved gracefully

through the room. Meticulously prepared Sarah?s medication, ensuring each duty

was performed to the greatest detail, before leaving as swiftly as she?d

entered, offering Sarah only a shy, unsure, half-smile. Through her balcony

window, Sarah witnessed the huge waves crash into the jagged rocks below and

listened in silence to the mysteriously wild, roar of the ocean. The bitter

taste of medication lingered in her mouth, while the harsh wind picked up the

sand, swirling it in the air, causing the last of the tourists to scurry from

the sand. The beach was now desolate and bare, looked more like a desert. As the

sun slowly began to hide behind the clouds, the once golden sand turned to a

murky gray, while the incoming tide swallowed all before it. The shadow of

darkness spread quickly across the deep, endless ocean, hiding all within life

and the life of Sarah?s.