“Sponges were first to branch off the evolutionary tree from the common ancestor of all animals, making them the sister group of all other animals.” ~Wikipedia

“Sponges have been around for a very long time, with certain species having a fossil record that dates back approximately 600 million years to the earliest (Precambrian) period of Earth’s history.” ~ National Ocean Service

“None of us understands our story better

than this nonentity, unconscious slip

of nature, nonetheless our common parent

dilating at the bottom of the sea.”

~ Excerpt from “The Sponge,” by JOSHUA MEHIGAN

Sunday, a morning to not rush, but rise wholeheartedly into the sun over the palms. It’s cool and comfortable, a gentle surf. I walk alone. Not lonely. All the shells and birds and sponges for company. What I discover about the sea sponge I learn in a poem after walking: the poem I find by Joshual Mehigan which makes me wonder and so I go looking for more information about sponges and my eyes and thoughts are opened to how long, how very very long they have been here. Red fingers reach for my feet in the sand. I see a glint of emerald glass on layers of shell under water. Later in the day learn my dear friend has dreamt of us last night; dreamt that I gave her a green ring. And so, the glass from the sea noticed me for a reason. Today I am happy to write and I work on my Aim For Astonishing writing prompt that I send weekly and finish it by tonight. And I realize I need a poem for tomorrow night as I’ll attend my Monday poetry workshop long distance. All the colors, shapes, light and sounds and spirit of this place seem far removed from the Cambridge neighborhood of the workshop on a dark winter evening where, in person, I would climb two flights of stairs from the street to meet my poet friends. I have, as yet, nothing new to bring and so I must see what will take shape by tomorrow night. Here I am, asking the question from this enchanted island.