The ocean is the great paradox. Calm and enchanting at times Wicked and dangerous moments later Known and familiar to nearly everyone Unknown and alien in its deepest trenches Life-giving cradle of oxygen and food Life-taking force of the storms and drowning Freedom of open horizons Imprisonment when there is no escape Barrier between nations Bridge that has carried humanity across the ages The great constant in a world of accelerating change Always changing, never the same The ocean holds every contradiction at once and it always wins.