Nature's Bond

 

"One question I ask of you: Where flows the water?
Deep in the ground, in the gushing spring,
A water of magic power—the water of life!
Life! O give us this life!"
—Native Hawaiian poem
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When rain fell on the bayou this morning, I had nearly forgotten. The dark sky unleashed a noisy, sizzling deluge, drowning out the nearby traffic’s hum. Do they know? As it dripped from my coal-black hat and traced a cool path down my spine, I didn’t mind. There, under the mangrove forest’s canopy, in nature’s embrace, I was reminded.The shower awakened the spoonbills, who fluffed and stretched their wings, welcoming the wash. A great blue heron puffed to twice his size, letting the fresh water cool his skin, while a snowy egret followed suit. Mangrove crabs scurried up branches in neat rows for their freshwater bath—they know! An osprey soared above, and a stingray leaped on the flats, sharing a fleeting moment in the same magical element. I think they know.Just in time, I turned to see a kayaking family from Boston, acting naturally. Shaking rain-soaked clothes and tossing their heads, they settled into the magic. They doffed their hats, rubbed rain into their hair, and let it drip from their noses onto their laps. Then, like a well-trained flock, they tilted pale, sun-starved faces skyward, tongues out to catch the dew. Birds of a feather, I suppose—they knew.Water’s cleansing, healing, and renewing powers are unmatched by any resource on Earth. It is as fun as it is awe-inspiring, the most sought-after recreational treasure on the planet. But you likely already knew.

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