8th January, 2023

Listening for God

I awoke to police sirens

railroad cars traveling across the tracks

and the startled cry

of our resident blue heron.

On the dock, we co-exist

in, mostly, quiet acceptance.

The tide is high.

The air and sky promise rain.

The earth waits impatiently.

 

Turned off the talking heads, finally

and practiced silence.

I thought I would listen for God.

Don’t know much

about texting, or blogging, or tweeting

Only it seems

full of self.

Just what this world needs

more inflated egos

crashing the airwaves.

 

The brown pelican

welcomed us to Coaches Prietos.

The wind settled the sea.

The moon hid behind the mountains

and the stars showed off. So many!

I gave up counting.

 

We went looking for lobsters.

The lobsters did not come looking for us.

The tuna did.

Come looking for us, that is.

Jay reeled him onto the deck,

made eye contact, and then threw him back.

Much to the chagrin of our friends.

 

Back at the dock, we linger

waiting for a sign.

Meanwhile, we check the oil, fix the windlass,

launder our clothes, gather supplies.

A new neighbor arrives from the north.

They are headed south

and so are we.

Sharing stories, together

we raise our eyes to the heavens

for permission to set sail.

A safe passage, for this we pray.

 

Slowly, the shield of clutter

falls away.

The mind expands

and the heart opens. A blossoming flower

I become, leaning into light

listening for God.