Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Steadfast” by: rob kistner © 5/23/24
From my spring vantage
at cliff’s edge
overlooking the mighty pacific
I behold a natural marvel
the annual northern migration
of a large pod
of majestic grey whales
adults and recent born
as they pass
the rugged cliff regions
of the breathtaking
upper oregon coast
they are on their way
north to alaska
where they will summer
raising their young
in the autumn
these beautiful behemoths
will pass here once more
on their way south
to their spawning lagoons
of baja california/mexico
these are sacred processions
as these giants
make their graceful way
slow and steady
as their inner clock
dictates these seasonal pilgrimages
as it has over 10 million years
from my lofty perch
I catch sight
of another ocean titan
as roaring in
the chest of a huge wave
slams a massive boulder
the great stone rocks back
undetectably
with a deep thud
more felt than heard
it bumps solid
against the base of the cliff
to which it crowds
and upon which I stand
in deep reverence
the awestruck sentinel
as the spent wave recedes
the hulking mass below
settles once again
immovable as bedrock
defying the next swell
and the next
and the next
but the sea
like that pod of greys
is steady and patient
this steadfast giant
in the ebb and flow of time
will acquiesce
becoming the grains of sand
upon which it now rests
here it will bear witness
for hundreds of thousands of years
as mighty grey whales
continue their amazing migrations
sustaining their cycle of life
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Grey Breaching Oregon Coast”
by: rob kistner © 5/24/24
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rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: Whats’s Going On
More poetry at: dVerse
I loved every line of this, Rob, and recognize the awe of a fellow west coaster to this magnificent migration. Thanks for this very beautiful poem.
You are most welcome Sherry. I have witnessed it several times, both tye southern and the northern migration. Breathtakingly amazing to behold… 🙂
“but the sea
like that pod of greys
is steady and patient”
Beautiful, beautiful! You gave me a new vision in the parallel of these two mighty forces of nature. Such a positive perch to view them both from!
Susan, I genuinely appreciate the kind words… 🙂
This is a lovely poem, Rob. I learnt a lot from this poem and I’m in awe at this mighty feat. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you Kitty… 🙂
How beautifully you’ve captured their journey and the surroundings. One needs much luck to have witnessed such an amazing natural event. Grand.
Thank you Sumana, very much… 🙂
This is a beautiful poem! I enjoyed that you yourself are a whale watcher and have had such first-hand experiences with them. Your poem is timeless & one to be savored.
Mary, thank you so much. It is an exhilarating encounter… 🙂
I would love such a sight… it’s a privilege to see them, but very few whales enter the baltic sea.
It is an amazing, never-to-forget experience Björn. If you ever get tge chance — take it my friend… 😉
Whales are the most beautiful creatures to me. I’ve whale-watched in Nova Scotia (pilot whales) from a Zodiac and in Newfoundland (humpbacks) from a fishing boat. Each time felt like an absolute privilege. I thoroughly enjoyed watching from your perch. Nicely done, Rob. ????
Yes they are Mish. What a treat for you to have had your wonderful experiences with the big mighty’s. Thank you for your kind words. Since moving up to Seattle, my last time on the Oregon coast was 9 years ago. But for a quarter century my wife Kathy and I enjoyed that marvelous privilege numerous times, and will never forget the thrill… 🙂
On my bucket list. Seeing them travel away, then back, has got to give you the goosebumps. It almost feels like you put yourself into the soul of the great boulder who is watching. Great digital images also.
It is amazing Lisa. The huge Greys are 50 feet long weighing 90,000 pounds. These gigantic mammals migrate 14,000 miles each year. It’s the largest mega-mammal migration on earth. You say it’s on your bucket list and I would recommend, if you ever can come see. Because of the rugged nature of the Oregon coast, it’s probably the best coast that you can watch from. Two spots I would recommend — Ecola Point in particular is my favorite viewing because you’re on a cliff and you can see the entire pod. On the northern Oregon coast near where I used to live. It is that view that sparked this poem. A little more central coast is Depot Bay. You can walk out on the jetty there and get pretty close to them passing by. Both are great places to view and for different reasons. Ecola Point gives you a breathtaking panoramic perspective of the pod migrating — Depot Bay can put you closer. Both great places. I’d suggest you do both, and you will have the amazing experience of traveling along the Oregon coast. It’ll blow your mind. A good time to watch the Northern migration, when the young calves are in the pod is April. Late autumn, November December they are heading south. You will never forget the experience my friend.