My first edition of “non-human saints.” Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to support my earth-conscious spiritual work. Those who see the Earth and her creatures as sacred will work to protect her.
Manatee
her eyes
a sparkling crater in the moon
her whiskered kiss
a calming punctuation
to this looming moment of
approach
a fear of height and depth and mass I've known in water
(recalling now the times I've paddled out over wrecks)
triggered
then eased as fast
as she is rolling and slipping underneath my hand
in spiral delight
she came to me
her energy rippling through my body
heal
she says
who is she healing
for whom is she asking
eclipse my suppositions
saintly mother
with your
largesse serenity in motion
you are keeper
of life
watcher
of this land's crystal veins
cradler of hopes
bearer of scars
from motorboats
starving, dying
as “open house” banners flicker in the wind
forgive us
we pray
pray for us
Image: [a close up of a manatees’ eye and whiskered nose just under the surface as she draws near to a swimmer (Frances).]
Image: [A manatee approaches Frances at Crystal River. Frances is in a wetsuit and a snorkel with her hands extended to the side so is not to approach the manatee. She “kisses” Frances.]
Image: [a graphic design arranged by Frances which includes a manatee surrounded by the saintly halo and saintly iconography. The manatee is surrounded by fish and coral and seagrass and a baby and bubbles. She has a wound near her back. The background is a typical Florida mansion with a boat in the river. Colors are greens blues and grays.]