CAPE COD CANAL

Written 1/13/10

Shedding off the confines of cabin fever, I turn right on Academy Road in Bourne and follow it to the south end of the Cape Cod Canal down by Mass Maritime, in search of open space, fresh air and natural beauty.  Winter time now, the Canal is empty of boats, except for the old red Tug that’s tied up at the school’s pier. The skies above the canal are where the action is; an open playground for sea birds in flight. Small and black, flocked together they head east, and then turn left on their U turn back to where they began.  Another flock races past the first and it looks a little competitive.  They remind me of children running on an open field, with no boundaries to stop them, just space that gives them the joy and freedom to be as they are.

 In the fertile waters of the canal in front of me, geese dive head first after a frantic paddle to their next meal.  Almost vertical, one appears to be jet propelled as he races on the surface, and then nose dives to his catch below.  Appearing to be out for a leisurely afternoon fly, a gull swoops and dips over the sun drenched, shimmering waters.

 The Railroad Bridge down the canal is raised and inactive.  The dinner train doesn’t run in the winter and it’s not yet time for the trains hauling trash off Cape to pass over the water.  The American Flag perched dead center on the top span is erect, the flag waving proudly.  It appears too small though, in comparison to the ornate turrets atop each pillar.  Below, the sea birds congregate knowing they have the right of way without interruption from trains not yet here.  The Bourne Bridge looms large in the distance beyond the Railroad Bridge.  Centered perfectly further down the canal, its familiar arch gently shadows the traffic underneath as it opens the way onto the Cape.  A fishing boat suddenly appears beyond the RR Bridge, alone - setting its course toward the sea.  The birds scattered, but go back to their place beneath the bridge now that the boat’s wake has rippled into nothingness. 

 As I look at the scene once more  and watch the graceful seagulls covering vast expanses of sky and those in the waters just sunning, swimming and fishing, I’m left with the feeling of freedom.  The view speaks of openness; time and space without limits.  With a knowing that possibilities are as endless as the skies above and the waters below, it tells of time that has no end and space that has no border. It’s as unlimited as those Sea Birds’ choices; to go as far or stay as close they want. The sky is the limit and the choice is theirs –  just as it is mine.