A Quiet Place - elmo shade

The water of the Salish Sea is so still,

it is difficult to determine its direction.

Only the scattered pieces of bark floating

effortlessly and the lone heron, gliding

a foot from the sea’s surface hunting for

its daily catch, give it away. The air smells

of fresh rain as my bare feet slow walk

a damp, pebbled path like a labyrinth, each

step planting a kiss on the earth. The orcas

stay hidden below the surface while the sea

lions raise their silky grayish heads in total

synchronicity. I stand on the wood planked

balcony embracing a morning coffee, clasping

the cup between hands that desperately desire

to clap for what the sea and heron have gifted.

This was my second trip to Langley, WA and a weekend in The Inn at Langley. During my first morning walk beside the Salish Sea, I observed one heron hunting for her morning catch, as well as scattered bark floating away like my thoughts.