For Friday Fictioneers, helmed by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, from a photograph by the talented stained glass artist, Jean Hays.
I’ve returned from the Land of the Long White Cloud to tiny, yet still beautiful, vog shrouded Big Island, and offer those readers kind enough to check in after my prolonged absence, a true story instead of my usual flash fiction. Genre would be autobiography, I suppose. Matters not. The moment remains etched in my heart forever.
Please don’t feel pressed to comment. This departure from the norm is a gift for you as I try to slip back quietly into the groove. Mahalo, D.
She appeared like a waking dream in the bow swell as we made our way toward the dive site. Her every move seemed effortless, whether swerving minutely in response to pressure changes or rising in a seamless moment to breathe and then return to that perfect place at the heart of the wave.
Spread-eagled over the gunwale I held my hand an inch above the water, palm down. Each time she breached, her smooth, glistening back surged slick and wet beneath my fingers and I tasted life in the warm spray of her exhalation.
Fellow travelers, I remember her still.
.
ironwoodwind 
Ahh, very beautiful memory. I long to see a dolphin in the wild, but to be so close must be glorious. When I visit my family in Marina Del Rey, I walk the jetty every day and hope to see a dolphin, but never have. I am happy that I get to see playful sealions, but a dolphin….the telling of your experience was sublime…
Dear Lindaura,
They are a sight to behold. Unbridled joy in perpetual motion. I’m sure you’ll get you wish one day.
Thanks for reading and sharing.
Aloha,
Doug
A beautiful moment, captured beautifully, as is your way. Welcome home, have a lovely Christmas, Doug.
Dear Sandra,
Thanks for the welcome home and the kind comments. I appreciate them very much. Keep looking for strangers at each lock you negotiate. I’m going to surprise you there one day.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Doug,
With each swell and wave of your words I feel life and taste spray. I exhale as I brush away a tear. Beautiful writing, fellow traveler.
Shalom and kia ora,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
I missed you while I was away. It is nice to be back in your neck of the sea. Thank you for adding to my ocean with your sweet comment.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Doug,
This quality of work is sorely missed…by me. I’ll just have to swim back here from time to time and dive into the waves of your beautiful, well chosen, polished and edited words.
Shalom,
SD
Doug,
what a great, poetic beginning to this. The idea of a waking dream makes this seem like a fairy tale. Very done.
-David
Dear David,
Stick a fork in me, eh?
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Hi Doug,
How could I not comment on such a beautiful piece of writing? From this and previous readings, I’ve come to realize that you are an animal lover. One of the ways I judge the character of my fellow humans is their kinship with their fellow creatures. You pass judgment easily. Thanks for sharing this moment so that I could, at least vicariously, be there and revel in in. Mahalo. Ron
Everytime I’ve seen dolphins, it’s been a beautiful experience; you’ve taken it a step further and allowed me to touch one. Even vicariously, that’s a moment to treasure.
Welcome home to the tiny Big Island of the Fictioneers. I’ve missed your words and your wisdom.
Jen
Dear Doug,
How well you paint with words. I’ve only seen dolphins from afar. To touch one must be glorious, now I feel I have. Thanks for the gift.
A lucky man I know has been to the top of the world and the bottom of the ocean… and he touched a dolphin. He has shared those joys with me… Yes, Mahalo, D.
p.s. Mele Kalikimaka!
Dear Doug,
I saw a family of dolphins and it was so magical! They are wondrous creatures. Your wonderful writing is so fitting for them! Welcome back. Have a Merry Christmas!
Amy
Dear Doug – exquisite – the moment and the writing..I held my breath as I read…what a gift to you and what a gift to us…
An elegant, poetic piece. Very soothing to read.
What a great experience.
such a glorious experience. i’d really love to touch a dolphin too! š i enjoyed your beautiful descriptive story. happy holidays!
What a incredible experience, Doug. You made me feel I was right there with you. How clever to jolt us with the mention of ‘gunwale’ to add another layer to the story. Beautifully done.
simply amazing… i don’t know if somebody can describe it much better than you did.
I loved the unusual marked gender pronoun? Dolphin … or mermaid was it? Nice spin : yo ho ho and a bottle of rum mate! Tay.