The Oceans Within

How oceans, seas and water offer a new metaphor to understand our lives...

Photo by Jesse Hammer on Unsplash

Living in the mountains of North Carolina, the landscapes of greening hills, cold mountain waterfalls and the wildlife there have become metaphors for me to write my poems thus far. The landscapes of the mountains have become portals through which to see and find my life. As you know, the mountains have help make my life “green.” But now, on this pilgrimage down under, it is the ocean, the sea and water that will become the landscape for my soul.

On this pilgrimage, the sea will be my home for a while. I am on the largest island on Earth. Australia is both an island and a continent. This land down under is so vastly different from North Carolina that words are difficult to find to describe it thus far.

Yesterday, we headed for the coast. We listened to the audiobook, Into the Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson as we crossed the bush and descended to the coast where we will be for a few days. I think I smiled for hours as I listened to Bill Bryson narrate about his own pilgrimage here. It’s beautiful and inspiring writing. I learned so much as well. That’s all apart of a pilgrimage: exploration, learning, tackling the challenges and relishing in the experiences. He is the travel guide I need and want on this pilgrimage down under. I brought a few other books with me, but so far, Bryson is all I need and can hold in these early days of my pilgrimage.

Photo by aless Con on Unsplash

It’s exotic here—at least in this part of Australia. I know the outback is far different. The fauna, foliage and feathered friends are sights to be hold. I had breakfast this morning overlooking the ocean. Today, I will enter the ocean tides.

I will be at the ocean; on the sea and in the salty water for much of my time on this pilgrimage. It is a nautical pilgrimage—the kind that early explorers took when looking for new lands of possibilities.

For stretches of days, I will see no shoreline—be offered no ground to stand upon—be unable to even see land. I’ll get sea legs to stand upon to use all five God-given senses to enjoy the wonder of the sea.

I’m eager for this sea voyage for my soul. I am eager to see through another portal of salt water and discover new continents within me and offering the invitation to explore.

I’m headed to the ocean down under today. I will swim in a sea I have never entered before. I will stand, stroll and sit in white sand for a while.

Oceans promise primal questions with few answers. I like that. As you read my poem today, you’ll fine a line in my poem about the uncertainty that awaits me…that awaits us all.

Here’s my poem to celebrate the uncertainty and vastness that lies ahead.

Blessed are those who set their heart on pilgrimage! I’m so glad this verse is in the scriptures I read.

I am already receiving a great blessing!

Stephen

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