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