I stand alone
On a windswept cliff
Overlooking an Aleutian bay,
Breathing in the scents
Of cold, fresh air and
Fragrant brine
As my eyes feast
In awestruck wonder.
I see before me
An open harbor
Of glass smooth water,
Ringed by nature's drama--
Untouched, unspoiled--
With jagged, young mountains
Still laced with winter snow
And sandy beaches framed
By stalwart tundra.
I smile as I spy
Puffins bobbing jauntily
In colorful brigades
Amid kelp beds and
Gentle ripples,
Keeping company with
Curious sea otters and
Arctic terns,
While beyond the sentinel rocks
Near shore
A pod of orcas flash,
Black and white,
As they play leisurely
Amongst themselves.
In the distance I watch
Great Sitkin sleeping fitfully,
It's icy, volcanic slopes
Wreathed in steam and clouds,
And mystery;
Then from above the cries
Of ravens and eagles
Welcome me back.
For I have returned
And I am home.
Kuluk: pronounced "koo-lock"
c. 1995
Image by skeeze from Pixabay
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Reviews of "On Kuluk Bay"
Reviewed by JOHN LESJACK (Reader)
Reviewed on February 13, 2021
Rebecca,
I enjoyed your poem "On Kuluk Bay."
I also enjoyed your story about Christmas on Adak.
I sent you an email at Author's Den but am not good on this computer and doubt myself. I'm 84 and writing an article about Adak. I wonder if you would allow me to quote your section about Santa, the fire truck and the Caroling.
I was on Adak in 1957 aboard the USS Lipan ATF 85. We were there for submarine surveillance. I saw the Adak National Forest, at that time.
The sign was in place.
My story concerns a later time. I'll tell you more when I hear from you.
Sent Saturday, February 13, 2021 along with my email: jlesjack.gmail.com.
Wow, just wow, I really enjoyed this as I have wanted to visit Alaska someday and know now that I am on dialysis I never most likely will...but I have seen so much on TV and in this poem of this your home...-e-
(Maybe you could read my story of home too, called "My Walden", (https://www.authorsden.com/members/popEditSPAN.asp?id=9376&typ=Story&editaction=edit,) thank you for this wonderful poem again, young lady...More, more, please!
Such a refreshing view of your "home." Thanks to television and movies, I have experienced that scene a few times. While it is cold and stark, I guess it does present a sense of home for those who wish to live there beside the water surrounded by snowy peaks.
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
Explore the mystery of how nature makes unexpected gifts of creative wonders to an unsuspecting caregiver one late night and early morning in southeastern Georgia, USA.
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I enjoyed your poem "On Kuluk Bay."
I also enjoyed your story about Christmas on Adak.
I sent you an email at Author's Den but am not good on this computer and doubt myself. I'm 84 and writing an article about Adak. I wonder if you would allow me to quote your section about Santa, the fire truck and the Caroling.
I was on Adak in 1957 aboard the USS Lipan ATF 85. We were there for submarine surveillance. I saw the Adak National Forest, at that time.
The sign was in place.
My story concerns a later time. I'll tell you more when I hear from you.
Sent Saturday, February 13, 2021 along with my email: jlesjack.gmail.com.
(Maybe you could read my story of home too, called "My Walden", (https://www.authorsden.com/members/popEditSPAN.asp?id=9376&typ=Story&editaction=edit,) thank you for this wonderful poem again, young lady...More, more, please!
In my dreams, I think about warmer places.
Ron