Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Gifts of Our See

A favorite beach of mine has nestled itself into a hidden cove along Italy’s Amalfi coast. Four hundred stone steps meander like rotten teeth down the side of a cliff, sprigs of vegetation sprouting out between the cracks, thirsting for water but settling for mists of salty spray. I can’t look down, not yet. It’s still too far away. But I can feel the promise. My heart, it stammers. Do I really get to…? Do I really get to…? Do I really get to….see you again?

When the steps end the path begins. Pebbles. And sand. And some dirt mixed in. And suddenly, we are in the mouth of an enormous cave. If you stop walking you’ll hear water dripping, echoing, the moist air chilling your skin to goose bumps. But if its afternoon, it’s a welcome chill, respite for your shiny, sun kissed skin.

The beach has little sand. No, that’s not its call. It must be that arch over there, you say, the one we can swim under, right? Or what about the wooden boat hovering as if on glass, the water so clear eyes dare to dance for meters and meters below? Yes! That must be it, you say! And what is that feeling welling up in me? Is that part of its magic, too?

I kneel down, our hearts at feast. The gentle lapping of the Mediterranean, the soft warmth of the sun, a lullaby, a ninnananna, a rhythmic gift from universe to sea.

And beneath our feet, the littlest of treasures. One. Then another. Turquoise. Red. A soft green. And yellow. There’s dark blue, bright blue, shiny blue and purple. Patterns and swirls and crests and twirls. We run. And skip. And giggle to the beat of our hearts. One then two, then seven then eight. Our pockets once empty, swell to bulging. Our souls once thirsty, waltz to sea.

“Garbage!” says the old man with a scowl on his face.
“Treasure!” you say, “why look, don’t you see?”

But his head has turned away. He has forgotten. Forgotten the painted gifts. The garbage turned gifts, gifts of his sea. 

9 comments:

Brynne said...

That place is no longer just on the Amalfi coast. It lies in a cove of each of our hearts. Thanks for taking us there.---posting from Jim Starkey

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

What a beautiful post. Too many treasures in the world go unappreciated by the jaded eye.

Brynne said...

Thank you, Susan! I think I need to hire you to melt my novel down into a few powerful sentences...you're incredible at getting the essence out of things!!

Samantha Sotto said...

Love the imagery! You've made this beach a very real place for me.

Brynne said...

I'm so glad, Samantha. It is very real to me, one of those places I will never forget. If you ever go to the Amalfi coast be sure to let me know! I will give you directions!

Jo Bryant said...

This is so descriptive - the Amalfi Coast is on my bucket list, and you have fuelled the desire even more !!!

:)

Brynne said...

OOoO...GREAT, Jo! Send me an email when you go...I will give you a list of my favorite treats! SoOo glad you liked the piece! I didnt even tell you the half of it! Maybe another time!! If you'd like to hear, I'd love to share!:)

Bella said...

Thanks to your vivid imagery, I've just visited that little beach in the Amalfi Coast you describe! And what a wondeful place it is! Lovely post!

Brynne said...

I am soOO glad you came with me, Bella! Shall we swim out to the rock arch over there? I think I see a place where we can climb up and jump off, too....!