Inside the Song Series#1: I Am the Sea
We were a small group of mothers on a getaway to a remote Maui house perched on a lava cliffside. On our first morning, we climbed 20 feet down the cliff, stepping carefully over knife sharp edges and slippery wet zones. Waves rushed back and forth against the rock making it hard to keep our footing and enter the deep Pacific. With no sandy beaches for miles, we were feeling wild, witchy and free.
One at a time, we worked rhythmically with the swelling ocean to decide the right moment to spring in while avoiding the spikey sea urchins. I worried about the moodiness of the ocean and if I’d be a sad local news headline the next day. Gathering my courage, I listened to the sea’s cadence and waited for the precise beat to enter, much like entering into a game of jump rope. I finally took the leap and soon found myself among the floating circle of naked ladies, all of us laughing and swimming underwater, pretending to be mermaids.
I felt the ocean’s vastness and strength, but also its tender touch. Laying on my back, the entire sea seemed to be breathing in and out as it moved. For several minutes, I surrendered my body and let myself be rocked like a baby.
After this exhilarating dip, we returned to the house buzzing with aliveness. I sat on the deck snacking on a perfectly ripe mango and gazed at the blue expanse. Inspired by the closeness I felt with the ocean that morning, I grabbed my guitar and notebook and wrote this song:
Listen to I am the Sea now:
Listen on Spotify:
Writing prompt for your journal:
Make a list of moments you felt awe, fear and/or wonder in nature. Pick one of those times, free write about the scene, then write a dialogue or poem from the voice of nature (mountain, sunset, lake, rock, ladybug, etc., ). Listen to “I am the Sea” for inspiration…