The Water

Winner, Creative Corner
Tia Chambers, Ross University

ShipwreckBeach, St. Kitts, West Indies

The water...

… is quiet, serene, and crystal blue. The waves playfully slap the board as it glides through them…some even splash up and onto my toes. Wispy clouds swirl around in the sky like cotton candy and brown pelicans soar overhead searching for their evening meal. I use my body like a sail and the wind is my energy, filling me up…pushing me closer to the horizon. I taste the salt on my lips and feel it sticking to my skin as I slice through the sea with my oar. On the shoreline, caramel and black volcanic sands mix and swirl together in the surf. Tiny hermit crabs scramble away from the water onto a few black rocks, peeking out from the sandy bank. Further inland, the tropical green, leafy vegetation thickens. Palms sway and play in the clean air, while some distance away a cactus stands at attention. The mongoose slithers into the darkness as I glide past his refuge. Time seems to stand still. I anchor my small vessel and stand up tall, reaching for the wispy clouds…breathing in deeply. Then I exhale and swan dive down to touch my toes. I hear the birds chirping their sleepy songs as I stretch…balance…relax into my surroundings. As the sun sinks into the sea, vibrant colors of the heavens begin to appear…a honeysuckle yellow mixes with a flamboyant red…violet, lavender, and magenta kiss the clouds goodnight as the stars start twinkling their tiny beacons onto the water…it is quiet and serene and crystal blue.

…paddle board yoga

experienced by tia…