About Faith at Point Reyes National Seashore

this peaceful valley is waking up
turning its dewy cheek
towards the sun 

I didn’t know I was beautiful
until the age spots and
the wrinkles came

glaciers cleave
their solid blue hearts
laid bare—
obscene—
for the world to see

all while the hard waves pound against
this fragile point of land,
the one I taught my children to love

sand shifting under me
water rising
tears pent up for too long

break through, roll down
two hot rivers
searing the paths they take

my plain and capable grandmother
sits beside me now
she says,

mop the salt water from your face
stoke the fire
start a nice pot of soup cooking for supper

sweep the front porch,
even though the wind will come up later
then, sit still— 

let your grandchildren’s
unguarded questions break your heart

First published in Birdland Journal 2019