Last night around 10 pm I went down to the dock and swam alone as I often do in the summer when I’m on the island. I floated on my back and saw for the first time in twenty years the swaying summer constellations spread out like living cups. I saw the big dipper and felt the shy, mortal thrill of taking pleasure in place–in all places. I swam around in joyous and shivering circles. With my left eye I could make out the stars! I may be blind in the right eye still but “lefty” was feeling like old Carl Sagan.
S.K.
Planet of the Blind 