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Yesterday evening the last drops of an afternoon squall were dripping from the decks as we lazily gathered in the cock pit to enjoy the cool of the coming night. Off the port bow a small group of dolphins made their presence known and suddenly we were all awake. The family watched for awhile but these graceful creatures disappeared into the deep. A large tropical sea bird however decided to make our acquaintance. Around and around us it flew. Dipping it’s powerful wings in and out as it caught the wind flowing off our sails. This continued for almost an hour before our new friend got braver. Dailin, Eli, Teyauna and I moved to the foredeck to watch his interesting behavior. It was darkening all around us but the big black shadow would drift right in front of us. We were all speculating why a lone bird would be interested in our floating island. Eli remembered the story of the ‘Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner’ (http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15884) and decided it was our lucky Albatross. Mayhap this wanderer was meant to guide us safely through some storm tonight or was he just looking for a free ride? At this point it did not matter. We all felt a private thrill as it landed firmly on our starboard bow deck seat.

We were all huddled on the higher deck just watching this unfold. We talked softly together for a time. We whispered about what kinds of things we would like to do and become when we got home. We talked about things we dreamed about and we told comfortable ‘home stories’ which brought quiet laughter. Still our Albatross just sat. A group of thick clouds moved across the moon and it was truly dark as we stumbled back inside the lighted cabin.  Only tiny hints that it was of a full moon broke the blackness and still our bird kept perfect watch. Each crew member in the night paid silent tribute to our new feathered friend. There would no curse on this ship. Every hour we checked on our Albatross and still he sat guarding our ship through what turned out to be the darkest of nights.

By the time the first rays of brilliant sun shattered the purple satiny sky our sentinel waved us good bye. He gracefully spread his giant wings only to disappear into the glory above. Eli and Teyauna were delighted to discover a little pile of gifts he left up on his perch to remind us of his good omen. We never saw the Albatross again but we will always look for him just around dusk when the sky is darkest and the air is thickest.