It was a stupid thing to do, really. I’ve been due for a time of epic gracelessness for a while now, and with the hinky feeling of something reaching, something demanding, I should have known it would go badly. But I watched Ryan, and he was fine, and besides, the waves weren’t even covering the rock.
So I hopped out there, to the last rock on one of Tojinbo’s peninsula’s. It was beautiful, it was thrilling, it was – why did the boys look panicked? OH MY GOD. That wave is huge! OH MY GOD, that’s going to come up to my knees. I turned, and started hopping my way back, but the ocean is, as ever, faster than a human could believe. I felt it around my ankle, and the swirl tugged just enough – I fell.
There was pain, and then panic, as I felt the water wrap around my waist and my body start to slip away just slightly. But my knee had landed in a hollow in the rock, and I had enough time to throw myself forward and cling to it. I was lucky. The waves caught my shoulders, tugged, but I remained on the rock – they returned to the whole alone.
I was laughing as I rejoined them. I was cold for a second, then I couldn’t feel my body. I was fine! It was a good joke, and even better, John got it on video! Priceless! I have surpassed my own record of stupid moments to be clumsy! I changed, and settled back into the bus seat…and then John let me watch the video.
And it all came rushing back. The panic. The horror. The feel of the waves wrapping around me like a blanket, soothing, pleading, pulling…so gentle, so loving – and yet all at once, terribly powerful.
I understand why I have always loved the ocean, despite never having been in it or viewed it prior to coming to Japan. Never having neared it in such a mood before today. It is beauty, it is grace – it is strength. I am glad my body acted of its own accord at that moment – because as the waves wrapped around me, my mind longed to let go and be taken away. To be consumed by this great power.
Tethys called – and I…I nearly answered.
