“Look at the world around YOU in terms of the five classical elements: earth, water, air, fire, and spirit. Use any combination of elements, all five, or just one. Your choice.”

Sky, sea and sand – air, water and earth. They come together and infuse the air with their heady mix, unmistakable and inimitable – salt.

Sky, sea and sand – on a summer’s day, it tastes of warmth, of sunblock and drip castles, of sandwich crusts and green grapes dropped from chubby toddler hands. On a summer night, it echoes with soft waves just beyond the edge of darkness and smells of driftwood burning and popping little sparks.

Sky, sea and sand – on a winter’s day, it roars of storms and spits foam onto the empty beach. The rocks roll and crack beneath the waves and you can feel them in your teeth, feel them rattling into your bones. The wind will push and pull you, come here, go away as you trudge along the sand and your footprints will be wiped clean. You’re just a ghost on a winter beach.

Sky, sea and sand – salt. Whatever ails you, wherever you may be broken, there’s a cure for you in that mix. You just have to give it time to work its way into your soul.

This is my contribution to ‘The Festival of the Solstice’, the June Mid-month Theme over at City Daily Photo.