#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Candle burning for those we’ve lost to brutality by ICE

Waves at Playa Pelada

Wake to review my poem and send it off after coffee, early, with Frank outside in the warm, fresh morning amidst the lush tropical landscape. I’m not sure about my poem, but I know it’s the one to bring to workshop today. Then Frank goes off to tennis, and I go to the beach for my early walk. The beaches are definitely more crowded this year. It’s such a reverent place. Walkers, surfers, exercisers of all sorts, meditators, fishers. . . it’s hot and bright. I walk my usual walk across the beaches, though not quite as far today as I have to get back for workshop. I listen to The Daily (NYTimes) to hear the tragic report of what’s known via video of the killing of Alex Pretti. It’s horrible. Meanwhile, the waves are crashing. The sand is firm. I take a dip and head back to Casa Zasa. Workshop goes really well and I’m surprised. I have thought I’m done with new poems, but a few more seem to be coming. I trust that. Frank and I take the quad and ride the dirt roads to a favorite restaurant on the beach. We have a quiet table in the shade overlooking Playa Pelada and there is a lovely breeze. I have my favorite watermelon and mint drink. So refreshing. Some phone calls and a little work and lots of rest and quiet in the afternoon until it’s time for the best time of day. The sunset swim. Frank and I ride the quad and meet our friends for sunset swim. The tide is out and I love the hard sand and walking to the water across this lovely surface. I stay in the froth watching the surfers and the sun drop. Frank comes in as the water is turning lavender and butter. “This is like vespers,” he says. It’s reminding him of when he was young and worked for a time at St. Leo’s monastery in Florida and the monks would have vespers and it felt like a holy and sacred time. Then we all head home for a casual meal around the long table and I light the candle in honor of those brutalized by ICE.