Depot Bay at high tide

mad, wind-whipped waves cleaved

to foam by jagged lava rock

rammed through clefts, now blowholes

to fountain as towering vertical spray

or thrashed, unable to escape

from between layers of rock,

before the next wave churns the milky foam

into congealed white curds

realism with a bang

vivid brilliance, blinding

there and gone before our minds

can react and label such power

lightning

and then, low and grumbling

a guttural observation, thunder

that comes more fleetingly upon

the flare and grows more fierce

until each is upon us, overwhelming

terror

so primitive millennia of learning

accomplishments, gadgets

unwarranted pride dissolve into shaking, proper, realistic

humility

arbitrary

arbitrary

whoever has the power

makes the choices

from wherever they are

and whatever they see

or need now

forgive them

and go on

learning more of who

you are without

allowing them to define you

know thy place

at the shore of trillium lake

with mt. hood reflected

in its majestic semi-snow of july

takes one’s breath in awe

as nature should when she

displays her beauty

or her power