the cliff,
the edge,
the persistence of the waves —
crashing;
fluidity
meeting solidness
and where they meet:
weathering,
tumbling,
merging into shell spirals
and into star rays
who patiently glide
along the ocean floor.
then, tentacle tongues
wrapping themselves
with curiosity
around anything that moves.
the persistence of the waves —
crashing;
fluidity
meeting solidness
and making white foam
to coat
the madness of it all.
the uninvited swell
dives between
microscopic membranes,
polishing sand grains:
weathering,
tumbling,
tossing sea kelp
on the sea shore;
sea gulls diving to catch
sustenance…
diving,
diving,
diving…
a flock gathers,
and one at a time,
folds its wings
and plunges into dark waters.
they dance like
marionettes
on the ocean surface.
the cliff,
the edge
where worlds collide.
where life
meets with life,
meets with life,
in an endless unfolding.
the edge of the world
is home to
unquestioned actions,
purposeful patterns,
and truths revealing themselves
like pearls
neatly tucked
in the bellies of oysters.
wave by wave,
sunrise to sunset,
it blinks away the day…
revealing…
Esalen Institute in Big Sur, Nov 17th, 2009
* This poem is an offering to the Esselen people of Big Sur — the keepers of the window and the keepers of the edge of the world.
Lindsay Kolasa 