The Lost Coast

Grey Eye Glances

early November north of San Francisco

driving fast to find you

I feel familiar winds that usher in each evening heavy on the mountains

rest clouds left there since morning

you always said

"there's just no other place"

 

a sign nailed to a redwood signifies arrival "welcome to the Lost Coast"

my mind begins to wonder

it was here we lost each other

shifting to a low gear

as I start on down the mountain

I know now

those were the times of my life

 

1989 was a dream in a dream

we straddled the thin line between

what it means or it seems to be

sure enough we left the world behind

it reminds me now

how precious and how delicate

 

the hairpins come more frequent

each turn extending to the edge

without a barrier

I feel my stomach sinking

whatever you've been thinking

nine years all but vanished

now it's nine miles to the ocean

and shelter cove

where we found a night

 

and now I see that night

as a dream in a dream

the fire flickered calming light

oh how perfect it seemed

to be yours alone in such a distant place you faced me and you whispered

"this is wonderful"

 

later on at the lighthouse

we were warned we should be careful

by waves that shot above us

we were told there was a hurricane

that came ashore each evening

 

I still carry the picture

that I took while you were sleeping

too hard to look

just then I see it again

 

the ocean through the clouds

like a dream in a dream

all the houses down in Shelter Cove

how much smaller they seem

was I really wise to improvise

and return to this scene

1989 just a dream in a dream

I can only hope this Lost Coast can remember so I turn my car off

I can almost feel you here