Rogue Waves

The sign says: 
“Rogue waves can
Appear with no warning.
Never turn your back
On the ocean!”

But they don’t appear
Out of nowhere
You know. In fact
They’ve crossed hemispheres
To find you
To knock you off your feet
To drag you out.

They’re born to deep
Antarctic lows,
Howling, lonely offshore storms.

From dark, chaotic mountain seas
They radiate, 
Long-period escapees
Riding gravity to warmer climes.

Running through the junk-filled gyres
Caressing coral and volcanic sand
Taunting the doldrums
With their windless passage.

Hawaii, then some
Empty days to reach
Refracting through near-shore isles
And crease the Bay
And finally
Spend Southern Ocean energy on
Flying surfers

And those who turn their backs.