summer is officially over in the pacific northwest. the crisp mornings and cool nights have made themselves comfortable and fall is here to stay. as i was recapping my summer of 2010. i remembered one small detail was forgotten. the last beach fire of summer. now we did have beach fires this summer but my dad, sam and i try to have one last one just the three of us. in hindsight, attempts were made for our final trip but schedules didn’t allow it. so instead i will leave summer thinking of a poem i wrote in college. this one is for you dad. i love you!
Racing the Sun
The strain of the days
Pushes us to change our scenery
Leave the heat and commotion of Portland
Last minute decision to hop on the 26 west.
The winding roads seem short when
They are covered with laughter and stories
Glancing ever so often at the view from the passenger seat
As we inch closer to our secret spot.
Racing the falling sun
The sky changes with each moment that passes
Powder blue, goldenrod, to a salmon
Knowing we are losing time.
Finally windows down, breathe deep
Salty air, everything in a sun kissed glow
Down the gravel road, familiar houses
Almost there the excitement rising
Engine stops staring at hill littered with rocks and driftwood
Adrenaline pumping tranquility setting in
Carry the chairs still sandy from the last journey
Marching to the sea
Over the hill the wide open ocean stares back at me
The breeze flutters through my hair
For an instant life pauses and lets me take everything in
Look to the horizon still have time
Drop the chairs we start the search
Need enough to last us a couple hours
Stretch out our shirts to hold more and avoid splinters
Carry it back to our circle of chairs
Leave Dad to work his magic
We race to meet the water with our feet
Takes my breath away for a moment until
Numbness follows
Dark orange and magenta overhead
Look to the circle see golden flames
Follow our steps watching the ground for anything we missed
It’s almost time
Sun is meeting the ocean for the night
Turn my chair in the soft sand to watch
Half thinking to see Davy Jones ship full sail
Even better though…the green flash.
Perfect.
love, so long summer xx
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