Lagoon

palm trees lean
to catch a blue breeze
lagoon waves

 

***

Photo: Bora Bora, French Polynesia, c.b.w. 2001

Words: haiku, c.b.w. 2020

 

Into Blue

fleck of yellow
floats into blue
underwater sun

 

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Photo: Coral in Moorea, French Polynesia, c.b.w. 2001
Words: c.b.w. 2015

Paradise

Pacific breeze,
paints the air blue
Float in the clouds,
drift to the ground
The lagoon stills,
and catches stones
Laden with cares,
until they sink
Green feathered trees,
wild jungle wings
A heartbeat thrums,
pumping new life

 

– – –

Photo: Somewhere in French Polynesia (I can’t remember which island), c.b.w. 2001
Words: c.b.w. 2014

 

Chance

Stone fingers reach,
bound by the ground
Rooted to life,
dreaming of white

Hope has wandered,
from up above
Wishing to touch,
starved fingertips

Tangled in trees,
carried by wind
The chance passes,
but no one grieves

Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001

– – –

c.b.w. 2014

A to Z Abroad: Underwater in Polynesia

French Polynesia is known for its beautiful beaches and tropical landscape, but there is also a piece of paradise waiting beneath the clear waters of the islands.

When I put on my snorkel gear, I had no idea I was about to enter an entirely different world filled with coral forests and white sand.

Coral. Watch out, it bites!
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001

Of course, I learned the hard way that coral “bites.” For about five years, I had a scar on my foot to remind me to watch where I’m going. One small touch is enough to open up quite a gash!

Aside from coral, there is an abundance of wildlife lurking in the lagoons. Fish of all colors, shapes, and sizes happily swim by and give a great show!

A school fish swim a maze of coral
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001

One fish, two fish, yellow fish, zebra fish . . .
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001

Among the fish are stingrays and sharks. Yes, I really did swim alongside sharks! They are such graceful creatures and so misunderstood. They deserve our respect rather than our fear.

Swimming with the rays!
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001

The sharks are here, but never fear!
Photo by: c.b.w. 2001

While the vivid color of blue and the wonder of wildlife make the journey underwater worthwhile, my favorite part of this adventure was the experience of absolute silence. The waters of the lagoon are often still and it’s easy to find a spot away from other divers, leaving nothing but the sound of stillness.

– – –

Part of the A to Z Challenge!

– – –

c.b.w. 2013