Poetic essay from Kahlil Crawford

REDD ARMOIRE

home – a desolate block – died inside of me at Newport Beach where I witnessed a miniature Versailles sidewalk surfing, and learned the fitness virtues of surfboards & yellowtail.

never mind the grungy beachside citizens wading along the oil-contaminated surf- “we’ve still got the best waves” – as evidenced by the splattering of surfer bars and nascent Brazilian cafes.

bikini-clad girls in flip-flops and trucker hats parade up and down PCH and Main sans aim – purpose nor destiny – a quick pedal home toward paternal security

the surf shops hide away long forgotten legends of the tide and sand lamenting an old glory that never was – only imagined.

see, the preservation of a local culture is drowned out not by waves and songs of the seagull, but by corporate cranes migrating North.

Oceanside, California

Poetry from Loretta Siegel

EASTER SUNDAY

Church bells chiming

People climbing cobblestones

Mothers talking

Fathers calling little ones

Hush of voices

Sound of footsteps

Sunrise services begin

Mist of morning veiling treetops

Pinecone fragrance in the air

Joyous voices soaring skyward

Echo back from Mt. Tam’s edges

Weary walkers trudging downward

Children chasing butterflies

Backward glances, wistful smiles

Happy Easter, Tamalpais