Into The Sea

We Fowlers borrowed a J/44 this morning and sailed it out past Clapboard Island, past Cow and Long and Great Diamond and Peak's, out the Hussey Sound. At the mouth of the Hussey Sound, in some swells and a grey, chilly southeasterly breeze, my aunt Annie said some words. Something like, "Oh God, of the sea and the sky and the wind, to you we return Sandy, your child. May you hold him and let him roam free in your waters, forever joyful and at peace." We scattered his ashes off the stern, downwind, watching the grey residue mix with the boat's wake. Then we eased the sails, unfurled the jib, and headed off down through the pass between Cushing and Peak's.