(This poem is dedicated with love to those with so little who share so much in beloved Haiti. You are NOT forgotten!)

Dazzling, diamond water
Sunlight streams below
and I am transfixed at the sight of azure, emerald, gold
at play beneath our bow

I try to feel God in the lone bird overhead
breathe God in the cooling salt breeze
sense Him in the majesty of Haitian mountains
try to hear Him in the laughter of my friend who is singing, telling stories

But I am so tired, bruised within
and cannot find Him

My friends are tired too
and we glide along,
waiting on magic and letting our spirits rest, heal

Ahead, a sandbar
anchored fishermen cooking their bit of rice
hoping patiently for a bigger harvest from a nearly barren sea

An exchange of smiles

and, as with Jesus, there is always some to share

so one opens the rainbow fish into the crystal ocean,
washes it clean with water same-
tempers it with salt of life

We eat the fire roasted flesh with grateful fingers
and it melts like blessed manna on our tongues

But I am still sad inside

And then...

Payment?

No-
you are our friends because you say hello
because you love our land
because you look into our faces when we speak

A gift, then?

Yes-
Thank you
a gift is good, respect

We say goodbye and watch until they are a speck on the horizon

I look again at the water
at the mountains,
at the sun now painting encardine landscapes in the clouds

I feel the breeze caress my face
and lay my head against my friend's strong shoulder
I taste the goodness of the last Coke we share,
savouring the moment
saving the memory

And suddenly I know-

God was always here.