Nature Beckoned

 

Nature beckoned and I followed

Circumventing the perimeter of beaches and shorelines of snarled roots.

Down crevices and through channels

Sometimes swimming, other times wading

Looking and wandering, where I was being led

An osprey cried to its mate

Its nest nestled above in the arms of an ancient mangrove

Littered below my feet algae, broken shells, coral and sponges

Overhead a crown pigeon rode the wind.

Now the currents picked up pulling me along.

As if to say, don't tarry here too long.

So much more to see, still undisturbed by man

So little time!

A nurse shark lurked nearby, in the roots, waiting and watching.

A searay raced by, starfish floated into my open hands

Below crabs danced and above gulls sailed

Then I knew! Nature beckoned me home

and I followed back to the Florida of my childhood!

Milancie 1993