The Journey

From Villiers Park.

As I came ashore, dripping salt water on the virgin sands, I could have sworn I heard a dove cooing somewhere in the leafy paradise.

I felt ashamed, leaving my footprints in the flat white sand. This island was meant to be forever untouched. I knew it instinctively.

It was calm, peaceful, warm. The sun was blazing hot on my back. I was eager to leave the beach. It felt too open, too treacherous.

It's only a beach, I said. No need to be afraid.

It's not the beach I'm afraid of.

I wasn't going to hang around, in any case. It would be much safer in the forest.

It enveloped me. I could stay a mystery to the island in here.

Why was I thinking of the island as a person? Surely it was ridiculous. But somehow it wasn't ridiculous.

"It's not all in my head," I said aloud.

Silence. Then cooing again.

And suddenly there it was. The dove. My guardian angel. A lone dove living on an island.

"Show me the way."

The way to where?

I don't know.

It did not fly away. Stubborn.

We stared and stared.

Then it lifted its angelic wings and alighted on my shoulder.

I named him Pedero. He became my spirit in what was to follow.

Thus began my journey.