Dreams of the Shore, Guided by Grace
written by: Willie Torres Jr.
@torres_willie
From the time I was a young cub,
A dream bloomed within my heart,
Of beaches kissed by the golden sun,
And waves that danced with every part.
In Illinois, no ocean waves to greet,
But still, I held onto that hope, so sweet.
I grew into a young Kāne,
With surf stickers on my car,
Wearing shirts, bracelets, chains,
A surfer’s spirit, though near and far.
No board in my hands, no sea in my sight,
But the dream of the ocean burned bright.
I remember my first taste of the surf,
Watching on TV, glued to the screen,
Tears filled my eyes, so proud, so sure,
This was the dream I had always seen.
But life and its tides have a way to sway,
And God’s plan, I trust, led me another way.
Hawaii—oh how I long to go,
The surf capital, where the warm winds blow,
To meet the Kānaka ‘Ōiwi, hearts so kind,
To see the beauty of an island divine.
Reggae rhythms, in the summer sun,
Bring me back to dreams that never were done.
I thought I’d be a surfer, bold and free,
But Ke Akua’s (God) timing, perfect, you see,
Led me on a path with new grace to find,
And I learned that I must open my mind.
Maybe I’m not meant for the waves and the shore,
But there’s another purpose, that’s mine to explore.
To be a Christian Bruh’, a light in the dark,
To share His Word, to leave a mark.
Through struggles and trials, with trust in His hand,
I walk by faith, and in love, I stand.
Perhaps my calling is simple and true,
To love my wahine (wife) and children, as I should do.
A man of faith, humble and kind,
Striving to be a reflection, designed,
To honor the Greatest, Akua above,
With patience, with grace, and endless love.
Though I never surfed the waves so tall,
In God’s plan, I am still standing, after all.
- Dreams of the Shore, Guided by Grace - February 18, 2025
