Yemaya's Homecoming
February 23, 2024 by Gillian Goris

She glimmers like diamonds under the sun’s beam,

A crisp cool breeze flows through my tangled hair

Sending tickles down my spine,

She’s calling to me 


Ominous whispers overtake the silence in my mind as I gravitate toward the water,

Powdery soft footsteps turn wet and gritty 

Like a puppet and it’s strings, my body has no control

I’m under her command, 

My limbs being pulled by a power beyond me 

I begin to enter her lair,

Her warm foam hugs my feet, she welcomes me


The gentle splashing of the waves hit against my face,

Attacking me with her soft kisses 

My nose takes in the overwhelming scent of her salt

I lift my head towards the bright array of the sun

My golden brown skin basks in its heat,

As i begin to let go I find myself being carried in her arms, 

Take me 


Carrying swiftly becomes sinking,

The deeper I go the heavier my heart pounds,

Knowing what soon will become of me 

I fight back the encroaching frown with an unsure smirk,

With deadweight, powerful riptides carry closer to her,

Engulfing me with her love 

Waiting for my demise I look around myself

Fish peacefully glide by,

Their scales shimmering against the light 

Her beauty never ceases to amaze me, 


My chest tightens,

I’m running out of air

I call out to her

Her name escaping my quivering lips,

Causing water to consume my lungs


Sounds of waves crashing are replaced with the filling of her love,

My soul slowly intertwining with hers,

No longer alone, we’re entangled 

I am her, she is me



Gillian Goris is a 3D Animation major in the class 2025. Outside of animation she enjoys hiking, reading, journaling, and writing poetry.