I’m anchored off of Namotu Island. It’s five acres of sand in the shape of an avocado with bures (wood and straw huts) and boats and surfboards and baby turtles. The bottle blue surf of Swimming Pools breaks all over it. It’s a surfer’s slice of paradise. There are waves but I’m too weak to …
The Sea Saved Me From Myself
Without the sea, I'm a total mess. Eight years ago I made this Caribbean-style dress. It's forest green with fringe and neon beads. At the time, I was living on a 26 ft. sailboat in Jamaica Bay. The boat didn't belong to me. I don't even remember her name. I will call her No Name. …
The Tiger Shark &The Dog Bone
Chapter 1- Moon Time It was my fault for going surfing during my moon time. Some say it matters, others say there is no evidence that it does. What is for certain is that my bioelectrical charges were amplified by my blood in the seawater like a whisper into a megaphone. Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump On …
Water of Pearl
My mom flew back to Arkansas and it’s my first time living on the boat since arriving to Hawaii. My sea and land hallucinations have all subsided and life feels new but normal. The mind is such a delicate thing when alone at sea. Mine were mostly auditory hallucinations, except for the odd things happening …
Land Ho!
I am standing on sand in Hawaii. I can’t believe that I just crossed the Pacific Ocean alone. It feels surreal. Is this me? Am I dreaming? How did I do that? My last day and night at sea were the roughest. This is what it looked like…..: 9 A.M. I’m sailing through squall after …
Feathers Flying
Last night I sailed through a gale. I said a prayer, gave my ship over to God, and slept in the quarter berth. Waves pushed under the boat and lifted me in the air. Everything that was dry is now wet: pillows, clothes, books, cushions, wood floors, my hair, the deck, the cockpit, all soaked …
West Butterfy
I haven’t consumed anything but the fallen grapes, an orange, water, and a protein bar since setting sail yesterday. I don’t feel hunger or exhaustion or seasickness, I feel every nerve in my body. And they are all screaming “what the hell are you doing out here?” The feeling reminds me of first time I …
Letting Go Of Land
A few months ago my dock neighbor went out for a solo day sail and they later found his boat, but not his body. He was no novice. I heard he could ride the swell like a true cowboy. That his heart was made of seawater. That he had fins for limbs. I think about …
