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ShayCarolinePoems
Back in bus-and-duffel days turned out, less to than away, half-high, with no plan, I went up the coast. San Luis Obispo, Carmel, San Fran and on up to Portland. That's where we go now --people my age-- but this was then when I had no means, no ways, and just my naivete. Out in the water, somebody said to watch for the whales. They live in the dark underneath, and like me, come up, then back down without learning a thing or so it seemed. On the bus some guy liked Gordon Lightfoot "You've Been Talking In Your Sleep." He spoke my language like a native better than the pidgin kid that was me. He told me a blue whale's heart weighs as much as a grand piano and can be heard from two miles away. Bye daddy, behind me down the coast-- thanks for kicking me out. I wondered, as Seattle became B.C., what if it's all just big empty water, and me lugging some big booming beater for nothing? Or what if I'm all ears but the watersong was never for me? What then? And what now? I look out these days not at California coast but at Michigan lakes, cold and deep, choppy or still. I know only that I still don't know and never will.
0
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM UTC
Big Sur
Back in bus-and-duffel days turned out, less to than away, half-high, with no plan, I went up the coast. San Luis Obispo, Carmel, San Fran and on up to Portland. That's where we go now --people my age-- but this was then when I had no means, no ways, and just my naivete. Out in the water, somebody said to watch for the whales. They live in the dark underneath, and like me, come up, then back down without learning a thing or so it seemed. On the bus some guy liked Gordon Lightfoot "You've Been Talking In Your Sleep." He spoke my language like a native better than the pidgin kid that was me. He told me a blue whale's heart weighs as much as a grand piano and can be heard from two miles away. Bye daddy, behind me down the coast-- thanks for kicking me out. I wondered, as Seattle became B.C., what if it's all just big empty water, and me lugging some big booming beater for nothing? Or what if I'm all ears but the watersong was never for me? What then? And what now? I look out these days not at California coast but at Michigan lakes, cold and deep, choppy or still. I know only that I still don't know and never will.
2024
#ontheroad
ShayCaroline
Written by
ShayCaroline
70/GF/USA
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM UTC
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