149 Boats
The day at the beach was relaxing and had been a success Body mused, she had even managed a little nap in the afternoon as the child, ever watched by Spirit, skipped and danced at the waters edge on the smooth, flat and cool wet sand.
Spirit and the child were becoming inseparable, as was their joy of being outside. Some joy was returning to Body too after all the years she had been in survival mode, of Body neglecting itself and working too hard. Body decided there was no point in regretting the past and the time wasted, and from now on found and saw all manner of joyous little miracles right in front of her eyes that she had not taken note of before the Pumphouse.
It’s amazing what you appreciate when it’s been taken away from you in constant darkness. Colours of flowers, tress that have a life of their own in the breeze., even among less natural beauty you can find joy or inspiration if you are prepared to see it or imagine it. The artists that make miraculous sculptures or art out of piece of discarded rubbish. The clever person that renovates a piece of furniture in a new and different way. The Dad that makes a Christmas present like a fort, a dolls house, a crib, because he can’t afford to buy one or the Mum who knits or sews her child’s clothes (not gender specific to be P.C.).
The bird that knows the regular walker and conspirator, and knows where and when then will drop seed for them or steal from an unfortunate gardeners hard work. The fox that knows when to collect the rubbish ahead of the dustbin men, or the chaotic ducklings following such ordered lined up parents.
The camouflage a butterfly has depending on its favourite patch of food.
Little joys, little miracles. All worth enjoying however much a gardener despairs or people hate rubbish. One can change the view on how you see it, utilise or change it.
“Animals are creatures of habit and can learn what they need to survive. Rubbish is a by product of consumers and is freely available unfortunately” Brain stated.
“Why do the foxes collect the rubbish?” the Little Red Haired Girl asked.
“Because they are scavengers” Brain said “and will find food where they can, even from the bin bags.”
“Yuk! Why would they?”
“Perhaps because natural free space of their own is getting less and less. They are adapting to what their home is becoming” Spirit called.
“And why is there so much rubbish, even in the trees? It flies up and gets stuck in the branches.” the child asked.
“Let’s walk to some shade and buy an ice cream at that kiosk place we saw” said Body. The conversation was becoming a little complex and burdensome, and it broke the mood as the Little Red Haired Girl stood in front of the glass fronted counter to try and chose an ice cream flavour. There was so many to chose from, so many colours, and the flavour labels were all in Portuguese and Body was unsure of what was what. So Body let the child chose based on colour and it would be a nice surprise when they tasted it. Pink and dark red was the child’s choice and in her little head she assumed it would be strawberry and cream flavour. One of her favourites.
Body carried the ice cream to the table and chairs which were under a large yellow umbrella that would give them shade and a good view of the sea and the boats on its horizon. Some boats were large and looked static, their bulky profile suggested a container ship of some sort.
The child licked the ice cream cone and was pleasantly surprised. It was cherry, dark and tart cherry flavour with some sort of sweet liqueur added Body noted. It was absolutely delicious.
“Where are the boats going to?” the child asked Body.
“We are within a small port, so they could be going anywhere” Brain answered.
The child took another lick of the ice cream which was melting fast and when she looked back up at the sea the big bulky boat had moved. It was now the other side of the umbrella pole yet she had not moved to another seat. “Oh it’s moved quick! How come when it doesn’t look like it’s moving at all?”
“It’s a trick of the eye, probably due to its distance” answered Body.
Brain stayed quiet.
“It’s called to another place so it has to progress” called Spirit “even though we are not aware of seeing it move with our own eyes.”
“Is it going to it’s own place?”
“Probably not” stated Body “they are just visiting here and delivering goods to other countries.”
“Like Dia? The rug from Dia?”
“India” Brain corrected.
“Yes child, like India. They unload their goods say in India and bring back other goods. They travel from country to country delivering.”
“Like the postman?”
“Yes I guess so but on a larger scale. The postman only delivers door to door doesn’t he.”
“Cept us. We have not had a letter for ages” the child replied.
“It’s been noted” stated Brain “and we have checked and double checked at the post office here and in the U.K. All redirections are in place and in order.”
“Doesn’t feel like it” cried Heart “Not even bills have arrived!”
“Modern age” stated Brain “most billing is done online nowadays. It’s to be expected, less postal mail.”
“If you say so Brain” called Spirit “but I don’t call it that way. It’s odd.”
The boat was now past the opposite chair back when the child next looked up from the delicious ice cream which was disappearing fast. “It’s going quicker!” she exclaimed.
“Which? the ice cream or the boat?” Spirit laughed.
“The boat”
“Both” stated Brain.
“How come it moves but we don’t see it move?”
“All with time” answered Soul “In good time.”
“Is time good then? or bad?” the child asked.
“It’s not important. Time is not important. It’s the progress that is”
“But we don’t see it move” the child repeated.
“Sometimes child we don’t. We have to sit still to see it and then we can see the progress it has made.”
“And learn from it” the heavens answered.
© 2025 Jennifer Harris. Free And Alive 555
