DOLPHIN IN THE TREE

The man had always seen the dolphin in his tree…he never had a doubt

and using a chain saw when that live oak died…he let that dolphin out.

You see his parents used to love the stars…they’d sit for hours enjoying the view

and through the myths and legends they told to him….he learned to love them too.

But of all the stories they related…none of them was greater 

than the one about the constellation Delphinus…

(found just north of the equator).

This story took place a long time ago…in the 7th century BC:

It seems Arion, a wealthy court musician, was on his way back from Sicily.

when the crew of the ship he was on…unconcerned for Arion’s health

conspired against the musician…to relieve him of his wealth.

The crew offered Arion a choice…with no place for him to flee…

they would kill him where he stood or he could fling himself into the sea.

Deciding to throw himself overboard…and knowing he didn’t have long

Arion asked his captors…if he could sing a song.

So beautiful was his singing…so sad and hypnotic to the ear

that a pod of dolphins out of nowhere gathered round…to hear.

and when Arion finally flung himself into the sea…according to folklore

a dolphin, charmed by the beauty of his singing, carried him to shore….

The God, Apollo, as a reward for saving Arion from a certain death at sea

found that dolphin a place among the stars…for all eternity.

Today that man continues to see that dolphin 

as he enjoys the stars in an evening breeze

and he no longer wonders why he also sees them

among the rocks, in the clouds…in the trees…

For he knows it goes back to those quiet nights

and the part his parents played in his creation...

in opening of a young boy’s mind

and the birth of his imagination.