The Same Water

How humble I felt this morning, walking along the sunny coast, gazing out at the Pacific, blue and serene as it ushered pointed sailboats in and out of the marina. The beach culture-- families with their rainbow colored tents and wagons full of kids' toys, and singles fresh and clean, their shaded eyes glancing curiously at other singles--seemed innocent, unassuming. And yet, a subtle sense of vigilence made itself known, nipping us on the ankle like a disturbed sand flea. For we are aware, most of us, that while we bask in the sun's warmth, or bat the volleyball over the net, or navigate our course across the waves, another beach, another ocean, on the other side of this land, is being ravaged and pillaged and plundered by the sky, by the very same water we all eventually share.