Empty

francis bay

(named for a slave, I learned

not a sea captain!)

the morning breeze is soft

the air clean after a midnight rain

lazy white clouds across a blue sky

boats still rolling gently from a night of northern swells

I sit with my tea aware

there is nothing I have to do for now

no reading or writing or cleaning or cooking or bookkeeping

the time is empty

I can just sit, watch, daydream --

let my thoughts and feelings wander,

give memory and hope free reign

we have lived so much of our lives always doing --

ticking off accomplishments

making lists

setting goals

getting stuff done –

the gift of this time in the islands

may be its emptiness!

life not measured by achievements and lists

but by the quality of our being,

by the freedom

of days that aren’t already

overbooked with intentions,

by spaces unfilled

and receptive to daily gifts

that come unbidden

so when the sailing is done,

when the adventures are all logged

and the boat closed up for the last time --

the greatest gift of this season

may just be

its emptiness!

tuesday 26 january
ordinary time 2016