“Sky above me. Earth below me. Fire within me.”
In the twilight we drink tea, hold hands and watch, enchanted, as nature’s fireworks dance across the horizon.
Electrical storms spiral like screaming tornados into the waiting ocean, and the sky blazes violet-white behind shifting storm clouds.
We look up in wonder at a precious glimpse of heaven, gone much too soon.
We cook on an open flame, which trembles gently in the fresh ocean breeze. The smell of fire awakens something in me. Every bite tastes exquisite, our appetites heartened by sea salt and freedom.
Our laughter carries through the dusk, startling the small silhouettes that hide and seek; white tails flashing in long grass.
The rain creeps closer still, heralding the time to cozy up under woolen blankets. There is nowhere else on earth I would rather be right now, and no one else I’d choose to share this moment with.
It’s you. It’s always been you.
The lantern swings lazily from the canvas roof, a soft moon illuminating our tent with its celestial glow. We lay side by side, limbs gently tangled as we talk and smile and love.
We are content, listening to the sea boom against the empty shore,—natures lullaby, soothing us to sleep in her arms.
This is where I return, when I am weak, when I am sad. This is where I bring my fears, my anger, my pain. When life invades my head, and sleep evades me, you will find me here at the water’s edge.
I am stronger here, drawing my power from nature’s magic and making it my own. I am vibrant here, more alive.
I know who I am here, and where I am going.
Sleep comes easily in this place, and dreams follow.
~
Author: JoJo Rowden
Editor: Toby Israel
Photo: Author’s Own
~
Originally published on Elephant Journal here.
Published by jojorowden
Hey Friends,
I’m JoJo, and I’m a writer. It’s taken a long time for me to identify as such, mostly because I’ve always felt like such an imposter saying so. But I have loved words since I was very small, and through the years you will always have found me scribbling notes for my latest novel, or with my nose firmly planted in a good book.
Three years ago my life was turned upside down when I lost my stepdad suddenly. Through a dark period of depression, I had to learn to navigate who I was, and what the world meant once again. I wrote through the grief, and with the support of my amazing loved ones, and a wonderful therapist have made it through back into the light.
Since starting on my writing journey I have been honored to be featured on Elephant Journal, Huffington Post and The Good Men Project, as well as Inside Retail Magazine and the Australian Financial Review, to name a few.
My journey has seen me move from a career in Professional Services (Business Analysis/ Agile Coaching) to becoming the Content, Communication and Social Media Lead for the Australian arm of the software consultancy that I work for. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love as my day job- and for the fact that I truly look forward to going to work every day. Not everyone can say that, and I recognise what a blessing that is.I love reading, travel, yoga, pole dancing and the ocean. You will most likely find me spending time with my loved ones, all over the world, cup of tea, or red wine, in hand.
The other loves of my life include reading, travel, yoga, pole dancing and the ocean. You will most likely find me laughing (or eating) with my special people all over the world, cup of tea, or red wine, in hand.
Stay and browse a little. If you see something you like- let’s talk. If you want to share your work with me, I’d love to read it. Let’s support each other on our writing journeys. I look forward to a conversation with you. 🙂
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