-Still Wandering Through My Photo Albums-
“In the water, they have become the dominant species,
Though they acknowledge minds other than their own.”
Heathcote Williams
My job had been driving me crazy
I had really needed to get away
I soon found myself in Alaska
On a truly magical summer’s day
The scenery was spectacular
The air fresh, clean, and clear
One of the last pristine refuges
A place I will always hold dear
And soon, I was aboard a fishing boat
Pleasantly cruising a frigid Alaskan bay
As the Captain prepared the fishing gear
Up from the water it sprang huge and grey
I raced to the side of our small vessel
It had surfaced directly next to our boat
It was a gigantic, grey, humpback whale
And right now, right alongside us, it did float
I excitedly reached out and touched its huge back
What a truly wondrous experience this was for me
Two far different beings from two far different worlds
This electrifying connection had truly filled me with glee
And suddenly, this gentle leviathan from the deep
Looked straight up at me, with its gigantic left eye
Without speaking a single word, we had communicated
This moment will remain with me until the day that I die
As I stood transfixed watching him vanish
Beneath the icy waters of the Alaskan coast
I thanked God for this wondrous opportunity
For a magical moment that I treasure the most
And although several years have now passed
I always think of this whale when I visit the sea
And as I silently gaze out at the blue ocean waters
I often wonder if this wondrous whale ever thinks of me
Once hunted to the brink of extinction,
The slaughter of humpback whales
Was banned worldwide, in 1966.
But these creatures are once again in peril,
From today’s shrinking ocean food sources,
Entanglement in nets, and collisions with ships.
Humpbacks have a very complex language,
That we human beings still do not comprehend;
But whenever I play a tape I have of their whale songs,
My four dogs rush in, wanting to listen again and again.
There is truly so much we may never know,
About so many of our fellow earth dwellers;
But I am always mesmerized by my encounters,
And I will always continue in my attempts to learn.
©2008, Mr. Ed
Share
Print
Save
Fee
Thanks for this beautiful and heart warmin poem, it sure made my day!
God bless you Ed! Jasmin Horst
Be always safe,
Karen
Christine
"BLESSED ARE THEY WHO PROTECT GOD'S CREATURES,
FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD ... EVERYWHERE!"
TOM.
Much peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
Tiger Lily
Georg
...will always continue in my attempts to learn."
Great presence of thought, Ed...If we lose these important factors of life, that is when we begin our dying!
What an honor and blessing to have been able to communicate with the whale, then kindly share that with us!
Appreciation and Love ~~ Micke
Sounds like a wonderful connection - what a beautiful, rare experience you had - well done!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Beautiful write; bravo!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
Newfie hugs, Rose