Page 19 - THE BOOK BREEZE 1

that they cut an opening in the barrier!
In that moment I began to understand
the significance of the Virgin and
what she represents to the people of
San Felipe. I meditated for an indef-
inite period, staring into the candle’s
iridescent flame, and for a moment,
“I” ceased to exist, mesmerized by
the spell of Guadalupe. I offered her
a prayer. Then suddenly I heard a
haunting sound coming from the sea
below. I looked out onto the horizon to
see the flapping of wings in the distance as three strange birdlike creatures flew into
the horizon, nearly skimming the water in their flight. I was instantly distracted by a
squabble as two pelicans fought over something they found beneath the water. Could
the sound I heard be the pelicans squabbling? No, I was sure it was something much
more elusive I’d only read about in local folkloric stories – the call of the sirens. Once
again, I took in the stunning vista, the lighthouse in town on one side and the Malecón
on the other. Then I sprinted down the steps to the inconspicuous dirt path leading to
one of the loveliest beaches in all of San Felipe, unable to resist the temptation of a
swim in the temperate sea. I was the only living being there except for all the tiny crabs,
minnows, and seagulls that call this beach their home. I closed my eyes and drifted
into the giant warm womb of the maternal sea. I imagined that La Virgen de Guada-
lupe was watching over the sea and all its creatures, large and small, and sheltering
all with her maternal love. Some days later I returned to the same beach for an after-
noon swim. In the near
distance lay a small
island I call “Pelican
Island” because flocks
of pelicans often rest
there, their silhou-
ettes clearly visible
from the shoreline.
Looking closely, I was
quite certain I saw the
silhouettes of three
much larger birdlike
creatures that looked
eerily similar to the
winged creatures I’d seen that day from the top of the shrine. I stared for what seemed
like an eternity trying to make out what they were. Then I blinked and they were gone.

19