To me a bird is synonymous with freedom . A bird is unfettered, wild , triumphant in its superiority over mere mortals who are wedded to the earth. The seabird flying its course, fighting through the gale force wind, knowing its purpose. Again, perhaps lazily swooping down over the water in one fluid movement, intent on finding a meal .
Sailing on the water is the only place I feel the joy of being for that period of time as graceful and completely attuned to nature as is the seabird. I am effortlessly proceeding with the flow, not fighting the elements but becoming part of them.
I am unrestrained , enthralled by the wildly, heaving steel grey mountains of raging, surging water. This is worth each risky moment just to face the might and power of the wind and ocean. The exhilaration of sailing is addictive . The continuous restless movement finds an response in my soul - I am only now really alive.
A sudden change from storm to calm. The sun is dancing its rays over the water , creating constantly changing colours, now a greenish blue and then a swirling kaleidoscope of brilliant shades . The birds are now circling and gliding , squadrons of enquiring gulls diving adventurously low. They land on the gently undulating waves, searching hungrily for food, before taking off into the empty sky.
This is utterly peaceful , completely divorced from all the humdrum trivialities of everyday life. When sailing out at sea the earthly demands and routines fade away and I am aware only of the immense emptiness all around. I am the only person in this vast universe. I feel for that moment in fact, not really human but just an entity melded into the surroundings, totally and completely one with my world.
The seabird to me is a symbol of life. A living, vital creature following his own agenda . Travelling wherever he wishes, not dictated to by circumstances or demands. His only objective is to fulfil his essential needs and take pleasure in his marvellous ability to soar, gravity-free, over the ocean. As a human, the nearest approach I can make to such an experience of utter freedom and peace is to take to the open water, to go sailing.
I am seduced by the freedom of the open water - of the sea. I find it almost impossible for me to resist the call.
I envy the bird. I have to try to be , in fact free. Free as a bird.
