Martha's Vineyard

Day 1

Pain

Looking out the bus window, confined to the edge of the small seat, I am in pain.

Pain because part of me doesn't want to be on this trip, pain every time I think of my dog who recently died, pain from fear that my horse wont recover from his mysterious illness, and pain from the numbness in my leg from sitting still to long.

My mind is revolving around these four catastrophes, save the fourth, while I watch the minutes go by on the clock.

Every once and a while I am unwillingly snapped back to reality, becoming more impatient and more unhappy.

How can I break this spiteful circle?

How can I rid myself of this pain?

Calm

Green fields and clear skies,

Blue water and sandy shores,

Not a person in sight.

It is calm here.

It's not because of the sights,

And it's not because of the reputation,

The smell, the air, the feel of the Earth,

Everything here breathes "calm".

No traces of war or hate,

Just peace and calm.

Is there any other place like this?

Anywhere closer to home so I can spend my stressful days there?

Probably not.

Places like this are far and few between,

Usually packed with wishful people.

But somehow this little island is empty.

The streets are full and the stores are occupied,

but this field, this beautiful wonderful field, is somehow empty.

Where are the people?

How can they not see what is so obviously here?

This land is clean, innocent,

Calm.

Day 2

This Island of Mine

They say this place is wonderful.

They say this place has beauty.

But to me it's just an island.

What's so special about this place?

The grass is green, the sky is blue.

These are all things we have back home.

Beaches with white powder sand and two ton boulders like polka dots on a velvet blanket.

Forests with a thousand shades of green and brown.

Air so pure you head is wiped clean of any infectious thought it might hold.

Maybe they were right about this place and it's secret beauty.

Maybe this little island of mine is something more, something that has the power to make us stop and stare.

They say this place is wonderful.

They say this place has beauty.

But to me it has so much more.

Man Hunt

The darkness presses on me, suffocating me.

The cold makes me numb, makes me slow.

The occasional screams unnerve me, gives everything a new edge.

Why we play this game, I have no idea.

Hiding and searching for people in the dark, never knowing if someone is going to jump out and grab you.

Intentional fear, that's why we do this.

A prescribed dose of adrenaline for our hearts.

All of us need a good dose of fear every once and a while.

But even with this being said and understood,

I can't help but be scared.

Day 3

Aquinah

I just got the perfect shot, and I owe it all to Aquinah. With it's spectacular beaches and magnificent sunsets it has provided me with the perfect photo opportunity. I can't give all the credit to Aquinah, however. There were a few people who participated with this amazing shot. Placing the rocks precariously on top of each other, trying time and time again until... Ah! Perfection! The timing couldn't have been better either. The sun, bright and fiery orange was directly behind the stones, casting an orb of light around it. The sea was dark and the sky blue. I couldn't have asked for more. And I owe it all t0 Aquinah.

Day 4

Home Sick

As much as I hate to admit it, I am home sick.

I remember when I was younger, and leaving home was something to fear, something to dread.

Now, of course, that all seems ridiculous.

But I can't help but feel home sick.

I miss my room, my bed, my mother.

Even though I know I will be home tomorrow afternoon I can't help the longing I feel.

Even with this being said I will miss this beautiful place.

It seems I can't win.

An even though I hate to admit it,

I am home sick.