by Digger Barr
https://gaiasgardens.guru/
The Palm tree stood as the solitary sentry and salvation alone on the beach.
It stood alone on an island which was nothing more than a pile of sand in the middle of vast amounts of water.
The idyllic image conjures up a sense of paradise as iconic as an umbrella drink, cold and filled with fresh fruit.
Although this beach hardly qualified as an island, it was perfect in its image as sanctuary.
I wondered how the tree got there and if the island disappeared during storms or high tides.
In my dream, this sudden appearance of the island was perfect timing.
It appeared to be the saving grace in my dire situation.
Let me back this story up a bit and explain the scenario.
Some how I found myself bobbing around in the ocean.
I don’t know how I got here or why but, there I was desperately needing to figure out how to solve my dilemma.
As dreams go a small boat bumped up against me.
It was like a small life boat only made of wood. It was old school like those from a small fishing village.
I attempted to grab on to it. That was hard to do .
I timed the rise of the water to lift me up out of the water enough to try to fling myself inside the boat before the boat rose up as well.
Physics wasn’t having it and I only managed in flipping the boat upside down, tossing me back into dark frothing water.
Desperation hadn’t devoured my soul just yet, nor my cognitive senses.
I was still convinced I could work this problem out.
I dove under the boat and came up underneath, and clung to the attached bench seats for a welcomed rest.
This proved to be helpful and the overturned boat gave a moment of sanctuary.
But I couldn’t see what was going on out there and that was unsettling.
I needed to see the horizon. I needed to be able to look around.
So it was back to the out side of the boat and just hang on to the edge.
That’s when I saw the top of the palm tree.
With much effort and awareness of this effort I managed to tug the boat with me toward the tree.
As it came into full view, so did the sandy beach. I quickly became the most thankful survivor of a desperate situation.
The relief was overwhelming satisfying and the feeling ecstatic.
Until I sat on the beach and look at the tree.
It had a single coconut.
I could walk around the circumference of the island in two minutes.
Propping the boat up, I created a tiny sanctuary and took in my new circumstances.
If I could climb the tree, I could see further about. And I could get that single coconut.
I took off my pants and used them as a bungee around the tree and managed to do just that.
From my perch I saw what seemed to be a large flotilla of garbage. It wasn’t coming towards me. It was following a current and definitely moving past at a moderate rate.
I sat on the beach and reassessed the situation and new information.
My paradise was limited.
What seemed to be a safe sanctuary in one moment was now a trap.
The floating flotsam was actually providing another option.
This time I would have a righted boat. It was only a question of how to paddle.
The garbage pile wouldn’t be near for very long and a decision had to come quickly.
I left the island and made for the garbage.
My heart in my throat, I felt sad leaving the security of solid ground.
At the same time I knew if I wanted to survive or to find help, I had to take my chances.
I actually don’t know how I paddled but as dreams go, it happened.
I arrived at the floating body of plastic bottles, Styrofoam, and lengths of driftwood all mingled as an island of its own.
I got an image of hypodermic needles encased in plastic tubes and shuddered at the thought.
I found an odd comfort in the collection of it all. Like a community that had come together.
It created a sense of stability like a floating dock or an illusionary firmament that provided security.
At least there were bottles I could use to capture water, create fishing nets and a variety of other survival items.
Plus I had the odd feeling that moving with a pod of plastic would attract more attention than sitting on a random spit of land.
Hanging out in an ecological disaster increased my chance for rescue.
I was counting on the satellites and the concern of humanity.
I woke from the dream at this point and was left to ponder all of its meaning.
Holy moly! Was I really feeling all of this turmoil?
And what is up with finding more answers in the pile of waste than in my own image of paradise?
My initial analysis is simple.
In the watery sea of emotion I still could function and seek a variety of solutions.
Each step of the way, I felt limited in that I couldn’t see.
It wasn’t easy and took some genuine effort.
Perspective from the top of the tree led to a temporary but necessary phase of my journey.
A transitional respite that gave launch to the next phase with new perspectives.
Don’t be distracted by arriving in the trap of a false paradise, complacency.
It will take time but I need to stay courageous and apparently make tough decisions.
It felt risky leaving behind a sense of security, but it wasn’t that better than using up the last and only coconut.
There are other options out there, I just need perspective so that I can see them.
Pollution is a global issue and we all need to come together and pay attention to that.
I could continue on and on with the analysis of this dream. And probably will.
It was a powerful dream and maybe only meant for me.
But if any of it resonates with any else, you are welcomed to it.
May all our dreams eventually lead us to where we want to be and what we are looking for.
I had really hoped taking a nap on the beach, listening to the ocean was all I needed to do in life.
Apparently not.
Digger26