Word Poem + Video: re·​frac·​tion, mir·​age

Definition

refraction | re·​frac·​tion | ri-ˈfrak-shən 
noun

1

:  concept in physics that refers to the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium (i.e. air, glass, water) to another following a change in speed or velocity. (Britannica)
: concept in astronomy that refers to change in the apparent position of a celestial body due to bending of the light rays emanating from it as they pass through the atmosphere (Merriam-Webster). Astronomical refraction causes objects in space to appear higher above the horizon than they might be. See: MIRAGE.

Query: What is a mirage? Is it a false image, an illusion, a hallucination, an optical effect, or vision? How would you define it?

2

: a concept that you learn when you begin studying the theories behind scuba diving.

: When you are swimming underwater with a mask attached to your face, light passes from the water, and it bends through the mask lens and the air space between your eyes and the frame. This is refraction. The process of refraction creates a magnifying effect. (SDI Open Water Scuba Diver course)

Query: Did you know that underwater objects appear 25% closer and one-third larger than they do on land?

Self-Reflection

It’s been my goal for over a year to try scuba diving. When I signed up for it, I wasn’t in the best health. My body itself felt like its own retraction, a vessel disconnected that had diverted away from the mind. A year ago, I looked healthy, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t ready to go diving. I knew I could. I had health problems and I needed time to get better. I tried to read the open water scuba diving course booklet. Even with its 14 pt size font, my eyes kept darting across the room and to my phone to the next project or visual that interested me. I became preoccupied with an endless number of work tasks, and I was too exhausted to study.

Maybe it wasn’t the right time either. And maybe I only had to try it.

I finally booked a scuba diving experience and went on an adventure. It’s vital to take care of yourself and schedule moments of rest. The benefits to taking time to rest include going on an extraordinary trip underwater (well, shallow water) that I will never forget.

I was experimenting and made this little motivational video below. I hope you enjoy it.

Video

The sea urchins looked larger underwater.

Short clip with a medley of videos and photos taken on a GoPro from a recent scuba diving adventure to the tune of “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree. This video was created on and uploaded to Meta (Sorry, I know it’s only a vertical view).

Photo Collage

The Chippettes do scuba diving in the 1987 film, Chipmunks Adventure.
view of coral reef in shallow water from the surface
horizon underwater of shallow water and tiny thin fishes can be seen if you click on the thumbnail and open up the video in a new browser
a tiny cater of 4 sea urchins on a coral reef
the author underwater in a scuba diving suit making the universal OK sign

Here are some images from the video above, plus a film still from the 1987 classic film, The Chipmunk Adventure, that I couldn’t help but think of when I fell backwards into the water with the equipment on. Sidenote: that film was foundational to learning more about financial crimes and money laundering. Now here we are.

Poem

After the dive, when I looked back at the photos from the Go Pro, I couldn’t believe how tiny the sea urchins appeared within the frame. The sea urchins looked much larger and spikier underwater. Was that a refraction?

Next time an obstacle looks too big for you to face head-on, tell yourself it’s a mirage.