Last Dive in Koh Tao

I spent two weeks scuba diving with my 18 yr/old son in Koh Tao, Thailand. I left him there for several months to work on becoming a dive instructor. These were my thoughts upon the last day.

Last dive in Koh Tao.

Neither sadness or glee finds me…

rather a satisfied melancholy,

complexities bathe

mind, heart, soul ~

feeling ever so much a father.

 

Being a man

distracted with needs and joys,

selfishness and sacrifice,

wanting to guide and still, somehow…

let go

of memories past and yet to come ~

 

A creature of habit and exploration,

preferences and possibilities

searching ever

upon a solid foundation,

and... I feel gratitude, quivering

anxious to trust;

trusting faith will restore its own resolution

and again... gratitude

for all we have been these past

years, weeks, days, moments ~

The orange sun setting

upon the milky green waters of Chalok Bay

contrasts a rising joy in my heart,

hope dawning the sky of the unwritten day ~

I turn from the gentle voice of the sea

this haunting shall remain an echo in my heart,

a blaze of tropical light

etched within the lids of eyes closed

in thankful prayer,

before they must open

to guide this lucky castaway

back through asphalt jungles

to the inconveniences of civilization

knowing as fact only this…

I am forever changed;

longing to breathe this change

into each moment of an otherwise ordinary life ~

in this moment...  this is who I am

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Our children grow up and even though they make a life on their own, they still are our children. We must accept the different roles we will play in their lives as they mature, but it is not easy. We have to be thankful for the love we share with them. Having commented on that part of your poem, I must tell you the imagery you employed here is stunning! Orange sun, milky green waters.....lovely! Very emotive write, David.....and I can relate. Lydi**

[David Scott]

Thank you Lydi.
It is perhaps one of the most difficult and yet wonderful times of life...

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed....I understand all too well.