100 Seconds 12/04/20

Oceans are ancient, sacred places. I had an opportunity for a scuba lesson at the Great Barrier Reef of Australia — a mind-exploding meander over psychedelic coral and by shimmering fish with bulging eyes. There, I forgot who I was, I forgot my fear, nagging at the corners of my mind after breast cancer. I came away thinking, what kind of creature callously pollutes such a marvel with trash, oil, and micro-plastics? Is our industrial civilization that worthy?

Another time, I was taken to the beach at Hermanus, South Africa, and watched pods of humpback whales rolling and breaching offshore. They moan, grunt, and shriek, or at least that’s what it sounds like to us. Scientists have discovered they possess consciousness, communication, and intent.
They are creatures of majesty and death, mighty predators at the top of the food chain. Amongst the Hawaiian first peoples, whales were part of darkness and light, both divine and physical. Even their bones were revered. Whales reveal the icy truth of the animal kingdom, where life depends upon consuming other life. They are stunning and unforgettable…