Ocean’s Hope
Ocean was keening over her infected waters, the blanching of her coral, the fever she felt.
Not even Moon’s kisses and caressing to and fro helped. From the coldness of space, Moon gazed down, wishing for Ocean’s Healing.
“How can I help?” Moon asked.
Ocean’s salty eyes looked to Moon as he mirrored red in her waves. She had no answer. She felt only despair.
Albatross soared above effortlessly, Wind rushing under his outstretched wings, keeping him aloft. He had been airborne for months, touching down on water only to feed before he turned again into Wind to lift him up. Wind and Albatross were very well acquainted, and Albatross depended on Wind for his very existence. Fortunately, in Ocean’s Southern Seas, Wind was abundant and happy to help.
“My Beloved Ocean,” he said to her. “I have good news. Beautiful news.”
She turned her gaze to Albatross, knowing how wise he was and hoping for something to cheer her. Although she was old enough to have seen the Birth of Time, she had never felt this way and a new perspective was always welcome.
Albatross dipped towards her waves.
“In Mumbai, humans are cleaning beaches, and turtles are being born on the sands at your edge.”
“Really?”
“In your Cold Waters in the North, humans have come together to let your fish rest for at least 16 years from humans’ nets and voracious appetites.”
“Well, that IS good news. Albatross, tell me more.”
Albatross ruffled the feathers on his 11-foot wingspan, enjoying the cool wind moving through them. The venerable traveler was nearly 40 and had been wandering over Ocean all that time, witnessing destruction, slaughter, and disrespect. But he also saw in the same species responsible for that, the exact opposite. He often pondered how a species could be so cruel to its own planet yet so determined to save it.
Gliding closer to Ocean, he squawked, “Your humpback whales are recovering, and more of their songs can be heard every day.”
Ocean tossed up a saline spray of water, trying to reach Albatross and hug this creature who was telling her tales of hopefulness. But Albatross caught an upward draft and ascended out of her reach, though he felt her love.
“Many, many places have banned the taking of your dolphins and whales for human entertainment,” he called down to her.
“I grieve so when they are taken from me, and I rejoice whenever they are returned,” Ocean called back.
Albatross once again rode a current down closer to Ocean.
“I have seen a massive human-made device cleaning your waters, capturing the immense amount of foreign material making you and your creatures so ill and then taking it away.”
“I did think I felt something,” Ocean said.
“There’s much more to be done,” Albatross said as he began to soar upwards. “But it’s reason for hope, yes?”
“Oh yes, Albatross, there is hope. I will remember your words and bless the humans working to help me.”
Albatross soared even higher, again calling down before he caught next the swift current of wind.
“I think they are starting to understand that by helping you, they are saving themselves!” He was so high above her, his words were lost until Wind carried them down to her. “Stay optimistic, Ocean, and look for Good.”
“Thank you, Albatross, and I’ll try. I will truly try!”
Moon had been listening and shined his borrowed light on Albatross in gratitude. “Good journey, Albatross!”
Albatross gave Moon a sassy shake of his tail as the perfect swift current of air caught up to him, keeping his wings lifted and letting him fall asleep even as he rode high above his Beloved Ocean.
If the news is getting to you, check out the below for a lift. I used it for this story and visit it often when the news is bad. Which seems to be all the time. But there is happier news out there if you look.
I learned about the amazing albatross here:
If you live near an ocean and are moved to action, this is a good place to start.