A Memorable Moment in Maui

Of the many wonderful memories I will carry away from our ten day get away to beautiful Maui, probably the most vivid happened one morning as I was taking a long quiet walk along the beach. I happened to look out toward the horizon and saw a school of dolphins passing by. One in particular jumped out of the water and spun around like an Olympic diver.  I waited, hoping for another performance....And then it did it again!

As you might imagine, I thought to capture the moment in a sonnet (with a coda).  It is still a work in progress. It is called Leap for Leaping's Love.

White-creased blue Pacific under summer blue sky

   white-fleeced strafed with clouds by. I, wading

   in the slipping surf.  And pointing there, parading

coast off along, playing coolly small school of spry

dolphins, five in all, dorsals slicing through high

   seas like easy pirates, laughing and evading

   all the camera scramblers, those too busy sun-bathing,

up and under, up under and passing by.

One leapt out!  Full out and sun skimmed

   off her skin as she complete spin

      all-air-torpedo-turned, tight-twist turned

down splashed white spray scaling the row-rimmed

   wave spaces. Erased from view.  Gone.  She leapt again!

      In the aerial encore sheer exuberance burned!

Burning life-joy free and unconstrained.

   Here no zoo fish feeding.  Leap for leaping's love.  This same,

      could I, murky ocean tugging at my ankles, learn?

Today I had a rich time worshipping at Grace Bible Church in Pleasant Hill.  Tomorrow we head off to Minnesota for Susan's family reunion, and then it is off to Wales.

I think of you all with great affection!