secreted among the old-growth
nestles a serene forest clearing
/// \\\
soft filtered sunlight falls in rays
gently through the green canopy
enwraps golden the sacred space
/// \\\
a breeze stirs quietly overhead
rustling brightly in the treetops
whispering of nature’s memories
/// \\\
a downed Douglas Fir slumbers
snug centuries in its moss blanket
wrapped in earth’s final embrace
/// \\\
beyond to the left a hidden path
breaks subtly through the trees
offers a glimpse of rushing blue
/// \\\
the voice of falling water calls to me through the opening
I approach drawn hypnotically by unquenchable curiosity
there before me a powerful river urgently bounds and rolls
then it disappears over the horizon as though into forever
/// \\\
as I come closer I see the current of this tenacious stream
has with patience cut deep into this great rock of the earth
freeing itself to spill over – folding in misty layered curtains
into a roiling azure pool then over again to course further
/// \\\
I marvel so at the power at the beauty at the determination
of this relentless river ever sculpting this majestic artwork
tumbling timelessly in crystal clarity over boulder and falls
ever onward as if spurred by need to join all waters of earth
/// \\\
time suspends >> the world’s in balance >> life aligns for a perfect moment
Photo of a kayaker running Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon, the inspiration for this poem.
rob kistner © 2019
The concrete form of this poem is intended to mimic the double cascade waterfall as seen in the picture just above here in this post.
DAY 4
Wow I dig the verdant imagery; a virtual ode to cascading water. I like the way you used tercets, then prose. Surprised you didn’t cap it with a haiku or tanka. Your descriptive word smithing, as always, is magnificent. You create an impeccable sense of place, tuning us in to the video and audio of your imagination.
Thank you Glenn. I am pleased this resonated! I love using words to create place, visuals, sound – I think when I go to this, it is a subconscious attempt to make movies. When I worked for George my office was on Skywalker Ranch, so I was daily surrounded by his Skywalker Sound mixing studios and foley stages, as well as his Industrial Light & Magic FX facilitues. Perhaps it seeped into my marrow? I intended the concrete form here to mimic the double cascade waterfall pictured at the very top of the post. The last italicized single line is a nod to a haiku-like ending.
Rob, you took me to a wonderful sacred place. Love the connection of the river rushing to join all the waters of earth.
The format of the poem is a beautitfully cascading fall.
So very glad you enjoyed this Grace, and thank you for your kind words! 🙂
Is this a real place that you know, Rob? Such a beautiful rendering of an idyllic place in either case. I love it! <3
The poem is drectly relating a real place and vivid personal experience. There are over 238 exquisite waterfalls in Oregon. I have visited many of them during my 25 years living there, before I moved to Washington over 3 years ago for health related reasons. This particular poem is about Bridal Veil Falls, a very beautiful double cascade waterfall in Multnomah County Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge, not far from Portland. When I was younger and healthier my wife and I would hike there from time to time. I do not have a good clear picture of Bridal Veil so I found these stock photos to support the poem. Bridal Veil itself is just as gorgeous. Below is a link to info and photos of Bridal Veil. You should check it out Jade…! 🙂
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridal_Veil_Falls_(Oregon)
Rob, the photos alone are spectacular, can’t even imagine being there to see them. I think the kayaker is not in their right mind going down the drop. Thanks for posting those pictures and for the link 🙂
Jade, the wilderness of the entire state of Oregon is not only beautiful – but being in those ancient forests, and near those incredible waterfalls is truly spiritual, real magic. I get natural stoned high breathing in the oxone from their spray – it’s blissful!
The stuff of myths and legends, Rob!
Kim, I wrote it about my first of many visits to Bridal Veil Falls located in the Columbia River Gorge. This is just one of over 238 beautiful waterfalls in Oregon! I have posted a new photo with the poem showing a kayaker running Bridal Veil Falls. Fabulous! 🙂
The change of form and rhythm works so well to mirror the water falling. Sacred, as you say, peaceful, magic.
Glad you enjoyed this Kerfe, and it is soul magic for sure!
I would truly love to walk along such marvelous cascades… so well done on the form with those connected pools
If you ever get over here the PacNW Bjorn, leave a mote on my site. I will direct you to some unforgettable experiences.
What a gorgeous double cascade, Rob! A refreshing post…
Thank you Lynn…! 🙂
Nice description of the downed fir “snug centuries in a moss blanket”.
I have a picture of that particular tree Frank, but I can’t locate it… :-(. It is bright lime green.
So an ekphrastic/concrete/cascade with a haiku for the final pool. Splendid idea! I would love to one day get out to Oregon and experience GREEN immersion of your beautiful, wet forests. My brother lived in Corvallis while a Master’s student but I never got a chance to visit. Crazy kayaker though:)
Thank you Amaya, i am pleased this piece resonated for you. It was great fun creating the piece!
I am assuming your brother attended Oregon State University, so he was a Beaver. My son is a Duck having graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene. The Beavers and Ducks are major sports rivals. They have played each other for over 100 years, competing in every type of sport, men and women. The events are called Civil Wars given both schools are obviously in Oregon, and Corvalis and Eugene are located only about 36 miles apart, less than an hour by car. When the schools meet in football and bssketball they are major events here, with the entire state divided in rooting for one or the other. Very few state citizens remain neutral when the schools face off. They are highly spirited occasions with the winner enjoying intense, enthusiastic celebrations – and “bragging rights” for the year. It’s really quite wonderful.
Yes, that kayaker is “totally bonkers”! I have witnessed that scene on several occasions, with the kayakers disappearing into the mist snd under water upon splash down in both the mid-pool, and finally the continuation of the river at the bottom. It’s really impressive when a group of kayakers take on the challenge. The overall height of Bridal Veil Falls is over 120 feet, so seeing the kayakers plummeting over the falls is quite a spectacle.
I hope you do get to experience Oregon one day Amaya. It is amazing! If you come I would suggest making it a month-long adventure so you can enjoy all the exciting regions of the state from east to west and north to south. It will be a memory to last your life. 🙂
The imagery is inviting and makes me long to get outdoors and away from the desk and go find some trees wrapped snugly in their moss blankets.
Thank you Shannon…! You should et out and find yourself a moss blanketed ancient fallen tree – just don’t wake it… 😉
your use of words leaves me breathless, even if i never visited a waterfall this took me there. I most love the tenacity of the water from your description, it is tempestuous yet knows when to just conform to find it’s resting place. magnificent Rob! it’s like the water was documenting it’s own journey through the hills and trees.
Gina, you are most complimentary, and I thank you very much. I want my words to resonate for my readerd, I want to move them, I’m please you are moved! 🙂 All water, even water trapped at elevation in lakes and riberd, seeks to be at thr level of the great oceans. Inherently it moves ever trnaciously to get to that level. That id ehy there is such potential for power in water – it is thst drive to sea level.
Your words really take me there and the shots highlight it perfectly!
I am glad my words resonate with you Kate. Oneof my pfimary goals as a writer is to make people feel, beyond just making them think.