Midnight Trip to Italy

The dark abyss hovered over the overnight ferry to Rome, lights dimmed to near darkness — yet the stars still hid in the presence of lesser light. I swayed in my wine-drunk state, peering at the horizon, searching for the edge where the sky and the sea blend together.

My equally inebriated fellows pointed aimlessly forward, arguing whether the moving shadows were clouds or other boats passing by. Music blared, waking the fish from their sleep, yet the party still continued, so long as there was wine and people. Talks about music, dreams, women, men, Europe and more circulated the rowdy side of our ferry, once loud, growing smaller, as the black sky started to change a little blue. Some marveled at the brightening hue, some got tired and went to bed, yet us three fools kept pointing at the sky, and at the clearer outlines of the horizon.

Soon, the talks changed, speaking on beauty, peace and the evidence of God’s touch on the world. The dark blue that marked the sky slowly took a lighter tone, as day slowly approached. The sea was slowly revealed to us, no longer it being a place of solace and darkness, but a display of serene beauty. The more we preached and spoke about its presence, the more the light had revealed itself. Soon, a bright orange glow showed itself on the horizon, slowly rising, as if it were responding to our songs of praise.

Layers of indigo, cyan, and a deep orange filtered into each other, providing us with the best light show nature had to offer. Yet, one of the fellows interjected — this wasn’t just near nature, it was God. He had presented himself to us, sharing but a glimpse of His beauty to us. With just that glimpse, we started to cry, holding each other in our drunken stupor, thanking Him for blessing us with a view to inspire our journey. We had only a few hours until our destination, but we’d only wish to relish in the warmth of the rising sun, after so long a battle with the ocean’s breeze.

He had shown himself to us, but it was time for our rest, to save that memory, so it may follow us for the many more we would make ahead.