Wings

This morning
I found my wings
During a beach walk
I stumbled across them
At first
I barely recognised them
Worn and tattered
Ocean-beaten
Carried by countless currents
Lying still in the sand
Covered in seaweed
Teaming with sea lice
But
Slowly
Carefully
Tenderly
I disentangled the weeds
Removed the lice
Brushed the sand away
As an archaeologist would with
an ancient long-lost treasure
I picked them up
Held them in my arms
Then
Slowly
Carefully
Tenderly

Put them on