Sailing on the Moon

She didn’t wait long. The sky played with the colors of pink and blue and purple, the soft edges of the clouds dipped gently in gold. Sunset’s magnificent painting, washing away the day. She knew that “tomorrow is never promised” as they say, so she took a deep breath and let go of what seemed like bundles of failure. She let the fear drown in the disappearing shadows and watched the spectacle of light dance on the water and forgive the disappointments.

Time seemed to be neglected. The full moon appeared to be pulled up into the sky, so intentionally and steadily, like God fishing for his own light. She found herself so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she barely noticed the millions of twinkling stars, whispering the stories of the past, from light years away. It seemed nothing could pull her out of her thoughts sometimes.

Was the moon, a man’s face or a woman’s? Was it to be addressed as Grandmother or Grandfather? Why, does it even matter?

It doesn't, to answer the question. It simply matters, in and of itself. What? Why ponder such intricacies? More distractions draining you from being in the moment.

The phone starts singing Enya’s beautiful song “Sail Away” … she fumbles through her “Mary Poppins” bag that seems to have a thousand rooms and a million unnecessary occupants. “Full of crap”, so to speak. Why on earth would you need a lamp in your purse? Just kidding, we all know there are hundreds of reasons! She laughs at her own whimsical creations and wonders... If there would ever be a soul that would match hers? Exactly where and how she is... flawed, scarred and relentlessly hopeful!

Where could he be?

Oh yeah… the phone!... that music is way too daydreamy to have as a ringtone!

“Who is this?” “I’m pretty sure you have the wrong number, I live on an island. I don’t need car insurance for my bike!”

Not even that would deter them. “Babylon is always trying to get a dollar.”

Back to the drawing board of her mind, defining her companion. When she imagined him, it was never in definite form, but feeling. He felt safe, encouraging, gentle but strong. She knew, she too would offer these qualities. Crown his heart king, if he could truly see her. It would be destiny, untethered by fear. It would be REAL and honest, driven by love. Like having a warm fire, constantly and steadily nourishing and keeping you warm. Slow burn.

She pulled out the small bag of herb and rolling papers, gently handled the sacred plant and wrapped it gracefully with a kind tuck, lick, and seal. She sat there in gratitude as the huge moon seemed to be serenading her with the waves. The salt of the ocean clinging to her lips, making it stick to the paper when she went to toke.

Usually she didn’t mind surfing alone and listening to the sounds of the day change into night. Often she chose to surf in the morning, so her dreadlocks had time to dry before she slept. But today was a special moon. She thought an evening surf would help celebrate the energy. She read in some City paper earlier that day, it was a moon for “manifesting”. It was the seventh day of the month, so she felt many signs, to celebrate and at least draw the map in her imagination.

She imagined him holding her. Feeling his chest rising and falling as he sat behind her. His legs against hers. His voice was low and thoughtful. She could feel his soft breath against her ear when he spoke. She knew they belonged together. She felt him see her, and together they could be a powerful force.

“When two come together” the scripture says, the intention is amplified, prayers answered. When we have someone walking alongside us in true union and commitment, this is a great gift of being human. True love is indeed rare.

“Wow”, she thought to herself. I should really write a book or something, as she buried her foot in the sand and sifted it between her toes. What a dreamer!

She felt her spirit lifted from the smoke, so she extinguished the tip in the sand, wrapping it in a piece of paper she’d written a poem on earlier. Feeling gratitude for her mindset.

What was that? Something shiny in the distance? She thought, her mind must be playing tricks on her. It couldn’t be another surfer out there! No one had passed her.

It almost looked like a chip off the moon, floating on the waves towards her. She laughed at herself as she spoke out loud “ You bumped your tooth out, Grandma!”

But really, what was that? A boat? Where was a boat coming from at this time of night? Not on this shore of the island. Hmmm?

It looked like a sailboat. How strange, I guess not so strange. But this time of night, rare to see them on this side of the island, they usually dock on the south shore.

As if she was a little girl mesmerized by a shiny object she watched the distant ship glide towards her, surely they were not going to dock tonight because of the strength of the currents.

She thought nothing more of it, and wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. She laid back on the soft sand and began looking for constellations. She could never remember the “proper” stories about the shapes and myths, so she just made them up in her head. A beautiful play of dreams and acts of love cast like glitter in her imagination.

She must have drifted to sleep, until she heard a voice saying…” excuse me, Ma’am, excuse me.” Her eyes squinting trying to make out the person addressing her.

He finally came close enough for their eyes to meet. It was like breathing air for the first time, she imagined. As if two souls knowing each other and travelling long miles, finally connect in physical form. She felt her heart immediately start racing, her cheeks flushed with heat.

“You drink rum, he asked? Laughing and surprised, she said “no”. He laughed in response with hearty satisfaction and said “Oh good, me either.”

“Want to smoke this spliff with me?” he responded.

She laughed again, and said “of course.” Wait, where did you come from?

She saw the boat anchored near the shore, and glanced back at him in disbelief.

Was this a dream?

He said, do you mind if I get a little closer? She didn’t mind, nor feel any inkling of hesitation.

He slid his legs around hers and sat behind her in the soft sand. He lit the joint and took a long draw. He gently gestured to her, lifting his chin to offer her the same blessing.

She shyly grinned and moved towards his lips, opening hers. He breathed the smoke into her, and she felt instantly lifted. They spoke no words after that, she just leaned back and let him hold her.

She remembered the old man in the park telling her, “be careful, angel, you manifest at the speed of your being.”

Well, maybe it was the clever constellations that she made up herself. Or maybe it was a dream that would be chased away by sunrise.

Or maybe… it was real. He was flesh, and he was here, next to her, without expectation, ready to ride the waves and carry the sunrise over the horizon.