The Edge…
I watch, in awe, as Slater glides effortlessly across the waves
Such speed, such grace, such mastery
Not riding the wave to the shore
But holding it — seemingly forever,
Running parallel to the coast
Respectfully manoeuvring at speed around others deeper in his ocean
Standing above them,
Carving paths around them,
Silvery lines that leave them surrounded by the light patterns splashed in his wake.
They too look on with wonder,
And wonder for themselves…
Could I ever be that good?
I stand astride this knife-edged trail
Once more looking down at the steep descents
— on both sides —
And wondering…
Do I have what it takes?
Do I have too much?
Or not enough?
Like a surfer, I must choose, in the moment,
In each moment,
where am I willing to go, and is it now…?
Should I shift my weight, slightly, backwards, and avoid the drop?
…So easy to slide back… sink back
Back into the comfortable and reassuring embrace of deeper water,
Beyond the chaos of the break.
Or is this the moment?
The moment when, with a slight lean forward at the right time,
I will take a deep breath,
And choose to commit
And drop in,
Down the precipitous face
In front of the turbulent energy of the breaking wave?
Do I trust I have enough?
Enough of what it takes to rise above the foam, out of ocean, into sky
And navigate to avoid hurting those here with me?
Imagine…
Just imagine…
Having the mastery,
The poise,
The feel,
The confidence,
to know
— I am enough —
And
In that moment,
To commit!
To choose to lean forward, to ride this wave!
No… not straight to the sand,
But twisting!
and turning!
and straightening!
and carving!
Glistening paths
Through deep blue waters
Turning and gliding along quicksilver crests
Teetering on the edge for endless moments
Before dropping back in!
Oh! To grace those watching with a presence that inspires…
Even as the silver droplets of Indra’s Web
Sparkle and return to the deep blue.
Each a momentary bright star sparkling over the ocean from whence they came
Before following their natural urge
— an urge to merge their presence — once more
With the sacred energies of the whole.
Neil Davidson, Leuven, September 5, 2023
