Untamed Majesty
These exquisite creatures had the entire sea as their playground, yet they chose to come play with a human, despite all our collective cruelty towards nature.
As a kid, it was my job to go catch Dad’s horses when they refused his efforts. I’d sit in the middle of the paddock with an old ice cream container half-filled with oats and wait. Horses are inquisitive creatures. It worked every time. Ponies cannot resist the sight of a young un sitting cross-legged out in the open like that.
One particular filly resisted all kinds of domestication. I waited as she approached. Each time I lowered my eyes she took a few tentative steps towards me until she came close enough to smell the oats. She nuzzled my shoulder. I sat unmoving. Animals are good for co-regulation. I tuned in with her. She nibbled. I ran my hand under her bridle to stroke her fur, then let her frisk away. Dad was annoyed that I didn't grab her when I had the chance, but I refuse to catch a creature who prefers to be free.
During the pandemic, most Australians fled Indonesia, fearing riots or medical supply shortages. I was not yet ready to return home, so decided to stay put. Without tourists, locals had the chance to enjoy their tropical paradise. Balinese people got to swim in the infinity pools and the roads were clear of gnarly traffic. There was a return to village life. The oceans provided abundant nourishment. Every patch of soil was planted out. The island rested and life for foreigners was good.
A friend and I caught the ferry over to Gili Lembongan for a weekend getaway. We found a room in a hotel on the beach and ate grilled snapper with rice and spicy sambal. A local fisherman accepted my 100k rupiah and skippered us out to a rocky inlet where manta rays come to breed at certain times of the year. It was a little choppy, but calm enough for snorkelling so long as we stayed near the boat. I splashed into the open water and floated just under the surface, peering into the depths.
Weightless, it felt like I was flying suspended over the ocean floor in the warm tropical water. Before long a large manta approached. Her wingspan was double mine. She glided past me and I watched as she disappeared into the cloudy sea. Curious like ponies, another one sailed past as if to inspect me. Stunned by her elegance, I floated on the surface, breathing heavily through my snorkel.
Mantas have the whole ocean to swim in, yet they shimmied right up close, one by one. I twisted to watch them swim away, remaining out of sight for just a moment before returning to sail past again. My body rippled free in response. Awed by the presence of wild grace, I was astonished when one of them swam right up under me to graze my torso. I sucked my belly in as she skimmed me, unnerved by her power. I reminded myself that manta ray stingers are not deadly, and did not flinch when she returned to shimmy right up under me again.
She was playing with me! These exquisite creatures had the entire sea as their playground, yet they chose to come play with a human, despite all our collective cruelty towards nature.
I am reminded of this encounter when I turn to you, my lover. I am attracted to people who refuse domestication. I want you to swim free and choose me every time.
You stir, snuffle a little into the pillow, say Good morning Sunshine, and pull me into your orbit. Flesh meets flesh. You bury your nose in my neck and groan a second greeting to the day. You are finally awake. Me, I have been floating here since sunrise, waiting quietly so as not to disturb your slumber. You reach down to grab my package, grasp a fistful of pubes, and twist. I throw a leg over. Grip you with my thighs. I run my hands down your chest, pull you close, and breathe you in. Salty.
Good morning sunshine……
Like "wild majesty ".