moment of glory

moment of glory

tiny jagged rock

seldom naked above the surf

sporadically catches the edge

of a pounding wave

heaving spray as a glistening

ten-foot, momentary tower

              Lincoln City

waves under rain

frantic roiling beneath haranguing gray

sky agonized delivering days of rain

in only hours

waves crouching, heaping, lifting

conceiving hills, mountains, cliffs

birthing white water against ancient basalt creating spouts, spurts, jets leaping, roaring white

leaving short-lived miniature waterfalls

and rivulets between rock faces

as they retreat, exhausted, against

the next oncoming, wind-driven contraction

mjNordgren  12/6/2023  at Tidal Raves, Depot Bay, OR

Depot Bay, Oregon

seagulls smell leftover French fries

true friends at the coast

 the most fun day of this year

was the four of us talking

and laughing on the drive to the coast

relaxing, hanging out at the Blue house to watch the waves from the deck

sharing a meal with dark, molasses

bread so rich a few bites satiate

working on sections of that impossible

jigsaw puzzle, sharing about what

has been happening in our lives

and the pains and joys of family

talking, laughing and talking

even louder all the way home

together bonding, knowing

of a certainty that sorrows are picked up willingly

and now carried by more than one  

Nana’s Irish Pub

Nana’s Irish Pub at Nye Beach

dark woods within, open patio

with shade to hide those who burn

in the sun and a metal water bowl

beneath each table to refresh dogs

while their people eat thick corned

beef sandwiches oozing melted cheese

while wrens flit along the cobbled

bricks looking for crumbs

when there are none, patrons sipping

ginger beer drop generous supplies—there is plenty to share

and all of it delicious

long drive to dinner

 touched with laughter

party of five extended family

and loved friend

elegant meal overlooking

misted ocean

well worth the hour and a half

drive to the coast

showoff storm

showoff storm

watercolor sky

and seascape

changing in the hail

wind gusts causing gulls

to land like drunken sailors

and ruffling tail and wing

feathers as they huddle

on the beach

sudden torrents of rain

beating, roiling sand

beneath the surface

to muddy gold-brown

churning the water

into foam white and gray-green

purple-blue in the shadows

of black-purple-gray clouds