I am out on the boat for a few days. Today has been hot, but the sea breeze and a thunderstorm are now cooling things down. I didn't row to the beach this afternoon because of the heat. This evening I took one of the dogs in the dinghy to shore for a walk, and we watched the skies darken. Eventually, we rowed back to the boat to close the hatches and ports.
I feel renewed once again by being out here on this boat and in this place that provides so much peace. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the fierce Civil War battle that took place on the island. So many slaughtered and left to rot on the beach. Most of those killed were the Massachusetts 54th, a regiment of African American soldiers. But the Battery on the island held, and the Harbor remained under control of the Confederates as did the city. Sherman decided to ravage the capital city instead of coming to the old port city so strongly defended.
So much violence and death to defend a way of life abhorrant to many. I treat this island with much respect. It is hallowed ground. Now there is nothing but the sound of the wind, waves and birds. I feel fortunate to be here.
places like that...like gettyburg...i used to walk there...the battle fields...i def look at it as hallowed ground too...so much death....glad you are finding peace on the boat...
ReplyDeleteIt brings my own heart a bit of peace, thinking of you there, respectful and open to it all.
ReplyDeleteAgain I wish I was on that boat! Believe it or not right now South East Wisconsin is hotter then parts of Florida. We have quite the heat wave going no suppose to close to 100 with the heat index.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your history lesson too. That whole war was so bloody and sad. All to try and keep an aweful thing like slavery. Yet at the same time reflecting on such hordenous history seems to have a peaceful feel to it. At least the way you write. Your writing always seems to have a sense of soothing peace about it.
I dream of being on a sailboat sometimes. Maybe some past life returning. I don't even swim so it does seem odd.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to have a place of renewal. I have my porch and the inlet to look upon.
Robert Lowell's poem, For the Union Dead, is another eloquent reminder of what happened to the 54th, about a famous Saint Gaudens monument to the soldiers in the middle of Boston.
ReplyDeleteI love when you post your pics of the boat and being on the water. I would love to live so close to the sea.
ReplyDeleteOur 8 year old son loves to read about the Civil War and is shocked and can't understand when he reads about the numbers of dead.
It's good to hear some contentment and peace in your words, Syd. You've been through so much ...the boat is indeed a Godsend.
ReplyDeleteCan I borrow your boat? And the ocean?
ReplyDeleteAny time, MC, any time!
DeleteNice to read that water is peaceful for you.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine who struggles with health issues and I watched a large pod of bottlenose dolphins swim near the shore last week.
This lifted her spirits I was glad to witness her smile.
Prior to the severe El Nino that brought warm water to California in 1982-83, bottlenose dolphins were primarily residents along the Southern California shore. When water temperatures returned to normal, some of the dolphins stayed north, expanding the species' range.
It was a good trip. I really felt so much better and every day gets better still. I can feel some of my old self returning. Both of us have been out of sorts for months with so much sadness.
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