Island From a Raven’s Eye View
Mah Ara Ahmadi

Flying my drone by the shore, I started thinking about the ravens that were flying above the snow-covered beach. Lucky ravens! They have this opportunity to fly above the island and see this eye-catching view all the time. This bird’s-eye view reminds me of the first image that I captured when I flew to the island for the first time. Months ago, after flying for hours above the ocean, I finally saw the edge of the island. The welcoming red shore of PEI seemed like a warm hug in the middle of the cold blue ocean.  

It is said that ravens are smart creatures. They solve problems, remember people, and are able to plan the future. These birds could fly over this frozen ocean and live on every other land, but they chose this island to be their home. They are here by choice, just like many of us.  

I am standing where the island ends. The red cliffs of the island reach the frozen waves. Thin layers of ice that cover the rest of the ocean, hold the tides still. The ice is so fragile that no raven risks sitting on it however, these floating mirrors are attractive enough for ravens to make them fly above the ocean. Where the ice-blue ocean meets the pale blue sky, we can see the golden rays of the old sun, diving into the water. The sun is too weak to warm up the island shore, but still makes the ice sparkle. This shining view of the floating ice dancing on the ocean could draw the attention of ravens easily. The luminous ocean shines and glows like a pile of golden treasure thanks to the sun.  

Every time I stare at the ocean, I dive deep into my thoughts. the vastness of the ocean provides a platform for my mind to wander. I am unsure if it is because of the peace and quiet of the ocean or the different shades of blue. Four years ago, standing by the shore of Kish Island I was thinking about a change in my life. I was an ambitious girl who rode her bicycle around the island, thinking about possible decisions to make. Kish was rather small, so I could fully turn around the island in less than three hours. The tropical breezes made it hard to breathe, but I could not get enough of the view. Riding by the edge of my oval island, I made my decision! I want to see more of the world. I love this island, but my desires do not fit into the borders of this piece of land. It is too small and limited for my dreams.  

Thinking about the border of PEI while watching it through the screen of my drone. The cold wind coming from the ocean makes it hard to breathe. Again, I am living on a piece of land surrounded by water, but this time it is all right with me. It is not too bad to live on an island hugged by the waters.  

After all these times, realizing it was neither the bounded nature of Kish Island nor its small scale that made me leave it. It was the limit of opportunities there! None of my future plans fit there. I should have known sooner, as no raven flew above my old island. For years ago, the shoreline and scenery of the warm Persian Gulf gave my thoughts wings and the ability to fly beyond. My thoughts flew like a raven over the possibilities.  

The drone is flying over the ocean and the edge of PEI. It captures films and photos that look like the pictures painted from heaven. A door opens from the sky and the pure souls fly towards it. The drone drags the threads of the phantom around the island. I keep thinking about the past, present, and future. I come from boundedness to ease. Now, I am living on an Island that can call it home! Finally, the future that I foresee is so promising that no boundary is able to limit it.