Author’s note: On the Oregon Coast, about an hour west of where I lived for 25 years, is a wonderful little artist’s village called Cannon Beach. The beach is vast and rambling and features an amazing natural wonder called Haystack Rock. Its name explains its shape, but you must see it to understand its incredible mass.
Just north along the coast lies Ecola State Park, where you will find a beautiful meadow hugging the very top edge of a towering ocean cliff. From this lofty viewpoint you look over the vast ocean, waves crashing below you.
The cliffs, with slivers of white beach at their feet, stretch left and right as far as you can see – broken occasionally by a widened expanse of sand. To the left, as you face the Pacific Ocean, tucked into just such a widened expanse, is the village of Cannon Beach. To your right is Indian Beach, mildly famous as the setting for the film, Point Break, which starred Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.
This cliff-top meadow’s vista is absolutely breathtaking — soul-stirring. It served as the inspiration for “Hoping To Fly”.
atop a soaring precipice
jutting into the Pacific
observing a seabird suspended in flight
aloft on the sea breeze
billowing up and wafting down the cliff
I’m mesmerized
stretching before me
undulating azure blue
falling away
over earth’s edge
into forever
unfurling below
a white ribbon of sand
fragile
pristine
a breath between eternal sea
and towering rock facades
flanking left and right
in sweeping panorama
a breeze freshens
tosses my hair
I shudder
bracing against vertigo
swept up in a feeling
oh to be un-tethered
weightless
no longer earthbound
my soul
like that seabird
takes wing
soaring skyward
the freedom of feathered wing
over hollow bone
riding the thermals
climbing ever upward
gliding
circling
then
diving earthward
wings tucked
rocketing to the sea
to sail out ‘cross wavecrest
bank left to the boulderd jetty
to flutter back in pull up
glide down silently
to land soft as a fallen leaf
atop the mighty boulders
of Indian Beach Point
beautiful
exhilarating
the true miracle of flight
my heart drifts
back to mother earth
full – intoxicated
rich with this experience
observing a seabird
suspended in flight
riding the Pacfic Ocean cliffs
revision © 2019
DAY 19
It sounds like a wonderful place! I think gulls are much under-rated birds and you’ve described the bird and the experience of watching it very well.
Thanks Juliet!
–and so it goes–
…Rob
Ah, gulls: those kites on the edge of the world…
I like it when they are just freezing on a breeze.
Nice poem.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Nathalie
This was lovely, Rob- both your description of Cannon Beach and your poem. I felt like I was flying as well… your words so effortless…
We have many gulls here in FL but one of the most fascinating birds I like to watch are the pelicans! They seem so ungainly but get a good current going and they seem like they could go on forever!
Nathalie / Regina –
Thank you both!
And you are most welcome Nathalie. I enjoyed your site — your poem for the wings prompt was spellbinding.
The world of oceans is full of gulls, and they get some bad publicity at times. But this day, this gull — sparked a little magic for me.
Ah yes Regina — pelicans can be cool to observe. I used to have an office in Naples, Fla. I loved Naples!
Again, thanks to each of you.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
I was mesmerised reading your poem and the introduction leading to it.
Thanks.
I don’t think I can add anything to the previous commenters, but I, too, adored the poem and felt swept away with your soul.
Thank you Gautami, Patois — the experience of that day, about which I write in this poem, still resides in my soul.
What the poem does not say is what brought me to that cliff top that day. But it was fate that touched my life.
If you are ever in this part of the world, in Oregon, you should go to this place — out to the edge of the overlook. It will touch you. It is glorious.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
beautiful – i live by a different sea but it seems that gulls are the same wherever they reside!
you evoke a terrific sense of place and spirit with your words. I want to be there and be soul-stirred! i found your whole post very uplifting, which is definitely what i needed today – thanks!
Thank you Dandelion, Rose — thank you very much!
–and so it goes–
…Rob
Beautiful! I liked your description of the Cannon Beach area, as well.
I’ve been to Cannon Beach many times. This poem brings back happy memories of staying at beach houses on the Oregon Coast. I loved the experience of looking down on gulls flying.
Rena –
Thank you for your kind words. I certainly understand your fond memories. May you have many more.
I love the Pacific Northwest coast! It holds my soul.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
hi rob,
i know cannon beach. lovely. my dear friend lives near by. and your poetry is wondeful…
thought you might enjoy an invite to my blog site as well. we share some similar themes:
http://www.messagefromthemuse.com
if you like it, drop me a line!
brightly woven,
angi
Thank you Angi. Yes, Cannon Beach is awesome.
I will drop bye you site.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
I’ve been to the places you’ve mentioned in this beautiful poem, Rob. There is a magic to much of the Oregon coast that tends to make one feel they’ve reached out and touched the hand of God. You have a gift to describe it so well.
(Totally aside, but I’m reading “Riverhorse” by William Least Heat Moon, the story of his water journey from Astoria, New York to Astoria, Oregon, and wondering if you’re familiar with it.)
First, thank you for your kind words. Second, I have not read “Riverhorse” but I definitely will be finding it. Thank you for the tip Bev! 🙂
Nice description of freedom: “the freedom of feathered wing
over hollow bone”
Glad that resonated for you Frank…! 🙂
This is really beautiful Rob. The Oregon coast is so beautiful. I liked your line:
falling away
over earth’s edge
into forever
The mind can take you their…. even in realtime the mind takes you there!
Thank you so much Deight! I am pleased I could offer a bit of escape… 🙂
Gorgeous photos. Thank you for taking us on your flight with you. That was exhilirating and such fun.
I am pleased you enjoyed this Jade. It was a joy to rewrite, and dig up new pictures.! Since having moved north 175 miles to Seattle, and with my health set back – I haven’t been to these incredible places for almost 5 years. My wife and I used to go to the North Oregon Coast at least once every month from April through October, and more than once a month in June, July and August. Also once during the beautiful Christmas festivities at Cannon Beach in late December. I miss it so. Washington State is nice, but not
like that.
This is absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing, just like the Oregon coast itself. I love Cannon Beach. In fact, I will be there in two weeks for a women’s retreat. I will think of this poem while I am walking the sands near Haystack Rock.
My comments to you seem to disappear into the ether for reasons unknown. Let me try again. Having visited the sites you’ve mentioned, your beautiful poem took me there again! The Oregon coast is magic.
I found it in my spam Bev. Don’t know why?
Thank you for the kind words Linda! Cannon Beach and Indian Beach are wonderful – as is the whole of the Ecola State Park. Have fun at your retreat. I’ve been to several writers retreats there, but not in a number of years.
Breathtaking. I felt like I was lifted your words to soar with the seabirds. Oregon is a must on my bucket list!
Thank you for your kind words Mish! You will love your visit, give yourself a few weeks to at least get the flavor of the remarkably diverse natural wonders of this place. Gotta do the north/central coast highway – there is an OMG around every corner! The amazing Columbia River gorge, with thrir pletora of waterfalld will baffel you. The 248 world class waterfalls in the state. will blow your mind! The powerfully rugged high desert around Bend, Oregon, with their three sisters mountsins. While you are there visit the cowboy town of Sisters, oregon. The jholr of Mt Hood and its hundreds of wild rivers, most in Pacific Northwest. Absolutely captivating. Yes it is a wonderland. The city of Portland is fascinating, especially the Japanese garden, the internationsl rose garden! from which Portland gets it name. More wineries, craft bear places, and coffebshops than you could visitninna year. And the lethaly lit 23rd street. Wwhen you’ve done all that then check out miraculous Crater lake. Just touched but a few bases for you Mish! Just realized you need to vome for 6 weeks, 🙂
should have read “by your words”
😉
Your poem so beautifully encaptures the magic that is the coast of Oregon. I’ve visited Cannon Beach and the sites you’ve mentioned in the poem. Thanks for taking me there again!
(Totally off subject, but have you read “Riverhorse” by Wm. Least Heat Moon? It recounts his journey from Astoria, N.Y. to Astoria, Oregon via rivers and waterways. I am re-reading it, and thinking you would enjoy it.)
🙂
Totally exquisite Rob, both your introduction and description that inspired and the poem itself … how many times have I felt like this as bird or kite to soar above the earth. You captured it perfectly 🙂
Thank you Kate, glad you enjoyed this! It would be spectacular to fly… 🙂
It looks magical! Perfect for flying, if only in your mind.
It is magical Kerfe, more amazing than fantasy!