The following is not exactly a story -- it's a fragment of a dream.

The sea envelops me, caressing me while evoking memories of fact and myth, tales of adventures, sea creatures and pirate's treasure. Sea denizens approach, surround and inspect me, then quickly loose interest and retreat, continuing their journey as I sank down, down, down, free falling as the cold, dark waters amplify the humming sound in my ears.

I am strangely aware of my approaching destination of sea floor area, that of sand, rock and cave, being somewhat familiar with this habitant, as if I've been here many times before. I feel an inner peace, as if I were returning home. Time seems irrelevant and I am unaware of how long I have been holding my breath. My consciousness wavers as I drift in and out of clarity.

Suddenly, I'm transformed into a hungry, powerful barracuda searching for a meal. With one fast gulp I devour a large fish -- all except its tail which sinks amidst the bloody water -- for but only a second, before another of my kind consumes it. My hunger is yet unsated, thus I continue my search for more prey.

Within the blink of an eye, I become a tiny, terrified crab hiding in a shell, burying myself deep within the sand amongst sea vegetation. I barely escape the tentacles of a hungry octopus as it searches in vain for me.

I transform again and slowly become a bed of kelp dancing upward toward the sun's reflection which glistens on the water's surface. Tiny fish and seahorses dart playfully amongst my lower leaves while my upper leaves lie on top, floating rhythmically, enjoying the life enhancing energy of the blazing sun.

I'm further transformed into a mermaid sitting amongst beds of coral as I play with abalone shells and an open pirate's chest with loot of encrusted doubloons, jewelry and other such human treasures. The iridescent glimmer of the scales on my lower body glisten like mesmerizing gems of beauty and showcase my huge magnificent tail, which I fan to and fro as I sing a strange mating call. I pause, waiting expectantly -- listening for a reply.

Alas, I am now, the mighty sea itself! The mother of all its inhabitants! Such a wondrous feeling, such an exhilarating and powerful one, I have never experienced before. A deep overwhelming sense of joy consumes me and I am utterly astounded as I feel as if I hold all of my "sea children" within the core of my being.

Suddenly, an alarm of panic registers within my brain. My lungs feel as if about to burst from lack of oxygen. Uggg! I gasp for air as I bolt upright in my bed, confused and shivering from fright.

An immediate feeling of loss overwhelms me and I begin to sob. The sea, its beauty and my beloved sea children are all gone, lost within my dream. All of my treasures are lost to me -- until another time, in another dream -- or perhaps -- in another life.

Copyright © 2005 by Gwen Dickerson
All rights reserved.