Such A Place

I strolled towards the shore and a gaggle of gulls formed in front of me, encircling a group of tiny shorebirds---willets, terns and an occasional sandpiper - as if to protect them. Farther along, an aging fisherman equipped with a bucket of bait fish and fathoms of faith sat on his stool, gazing out to sea. He seemed content, as fishermen always are, to wait, and wait for the big bite. On the horizon, the narrow blue strip of sky widened. After a while, the wind blew puffy, iron-gray clouds off the west and they piled up in a large, dark canopy. I watched as the sky shifted and two terns with long orange beaks glided on rigid wings down the wind's invisible road. Then one hung motionless against the wind just above me and cocked his head to eye me as I walked the sand below him. Moments later a pearlescent, dreamy light, like a fine tulle veil on a beautiful white bride, replaced the blotchy sky. The wind became soft as a moth on my cheek. The storm had danced around me in a sort of waltz, and the sea began to calm, defeating the stalwart surfers. Suddendly the day became radiant with sunshine and warmth, the air light with salty sea breezes.

I feel serene as a Buddha and the calm surrounds me like a scent. I say a prayer of thanks for being alive on such a day, in such a place.