wave nymphs ride

gale winds and water two of my favorite elements.

Wave mania on Cape Ann

During our vacation there was a huge low off the coast of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The thunder of fifteen foot waves rocked our world.
The two shadows on the rocks are- you guessed it!

Night of Pink Glass & Light

Night of Glass & Light

my granddaughters

my hair

searching for a home

I've been searching for a home I can call my own.

Plum Island waves 2008

Storm low off the coast created six to ten foot waves.

Plum Island beach 2008

my cheeks burned
of halo glow
I love you
of that I know


Photo from our trip to Plum Island, Ma. One of the warbler boardwalks is named Hellcat. Every morning we made haste to Hellcat. In total we saw 98 species of birds.


I took a class on bird banding and watched as a Common Yellow Throat was delicately untangled from a mist net. My group observed the handling, measuring of wings, breast checking for fat, metal banding and then the release of the tiny warbler. I kept wondering if I would be uncomfortable with this type of handling from a another species/entity.

We drove to the end of the island and walked the beach- a Plover was sending out an alarm call as she circled her nesting area. We kept our distance but with the aid of binoculars we got to see her digging in the sand and possibly depositing eggs.



Our shadows lay
within the night
small white feathers fell gently
from our invention
wings of wax, string and molted bits
divinity chose us
after the dazzling play of light
we became, become, becoming
neatly folded into one

http://www.parkerriver.org/

Every year during the migration of birds, especially warblers, we take our vacation on or near Plum Island. Last year we saw over 120 birds- so you see this year the count was down. This year we stayed for 10 days- which is absolutely the longest we have done yet. I would like to work ourselves up to a month. I may have to wait till my retirement. During this time we live, eat, dream and follow the winged ones.
This year there where two storms that created huge wind gusts and large waves. So the birds hunkered down or didn't fly in. They fly with a south wind and mostly at night. We were blessed with a few days of warblers: Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Magnolia, Northern Parula, Yellow, Yellow-rump,Chestnut-sided, Black-and-white, and American Redstart.

reality poetry

Vt. mother evades rescuers, and 3 die


Rescuers use poles to look under rocks and in hidden pockets in the Wardsboro Brook in Wardsboro, Vt. Sunday April 13, 2008 during the search for Grace Waring, 2, who disappeared with her Mother Nicole Waring, 40, of Wolcott, Vt. and sibling Dakota, 6, Saturday. The bodies of Nicole and Dakota were found in the Wardsboro Brook, Saturday, after Nicole jumped into the water when approached by a Vermont State Trooper. Rescue agencies from throughout Vermont were actively involved in the search. (AP Photo/Jason R. Henske)
~~~

mommy
I lost my shoes
my toes are cold
I'm tired
sing me a lullaby
monster undertoad
is hungry
he pulls my feet
mommy
my legs hurt
I'm afraid
mommy
I spy baby Grace
rolling away
look mommy
my eyes are open
under water
~~~
In the wee hours
of mourning
daddy embraced
baby clothes
~~~


Friday, April 18
JAMAICA -- A Wardsboro man who capsized his kayak in the West River Thursday afternoon is still missing after several hours of searching by authorities.
Rescue workers search for...
David Holcomb, 24, was kayaking on the river with Matt St. Peter when both their kayaks capsized after leaving the Jamaica State Park, according to a press release from Detective Lt. Kraig LaPorte with the State Police.

The Jamaica Fire Department responded to a report of a person in the West River north of the French Bridge on Gilfeather Road at approximately 4 p.m. Search efforts were soon initiated by the fire departments of Wardsboro, Townsend and Brattleboro and Rescue Inc.

The search efforts were concentrated on the section of the river from the location where the victim was last seen in West Townshend, according to LaPorte. At roughly 8:30 p.m., authorities suspended the search efforts on account of darkness.

State troopers continued to conduct patrols along the river area throughout the night and into the early morning, when formal search efforts will resume.

After their kayaks overturned, the two men became separated from their kayaks and began floating down the river. According to the police

report, St. Peter eventually lost sight of Holcomb, whose kayak was found two miles south of the Volunteer Bridge toward Wardsboro.
St. Peter was able to work his way to the river's edge and climb out of the water with only minor injuries from contact with debris in the river. Sources at the scene said St. Peter had cuts on his chest and was offered medical assistance.

Troopers patrolling the area came across St. Peter walking along the south end of the river bank.

According to the release, neither was wearing a lifejacket during the incident, however each had one in his kayak.
~~~
I tucked my life jacket
held the paddle steady
foamy water rose
while river, my love,
embraced me
~~~

silence
breath held out
sewing needles
dart off the darn water
my brow knits
I inhale
pine needle's
hot perfume

exquisite beauty
stings my eyes
~~~
I am the rock
singing all night
with water's rising song

I gave you shelter
your delicate fingers
pressed into my folds

a moment's rest

I watched you taken
by river's flow
as water gave you
one last drink
~~~
your blond hair matted
half moon smile
frozen
river's wake takes you
I follow
we lay
on the small round rocks
breathless
~~~
Police investigating body found floating in West River
Reformer Staff

Saturday, May 3
BRATTLEBORO -- Brattleboro Police are investigating the death of a white male pulled out of the West River Friday afternoon.

The Brattleboro Fire Department's Dive Team was on scene and pulled the body out of the water, as the rain began to fall, after a preliminary investigation from the Police Department and the State's Attorney's Office.

"The body was very close to shore, in approximately 21/2 feet of water," Fire Chief Mike Bucossi said.

Two firefighters put on cold water exposure suits to retrieve the body, following directions from the Police Department and State's Attorney's office to remove him without disrupting any evidence.

Detectives placed evidence flags along the path, leading to the water, between the Veteran's Bridge and the railroad bridge, taking photos.

The man, whom police would not identify until the family was notified, was brought to the Burlington medical examiner by Ker-Westerlund & Fleming Funeral Home.

Workers at the scene refused to comment, directing all queries to Acting Police Chief Gene Wrinn.

"It's an active investigation," Wrinn said. "There are no obvious signs of foul play, but the white male is being
transported for an autopsy."

He expected to release more information Monday.

~~~
Spring’s River Revenge

Did you rumble
down the river-
tumble over the
dam,
water logged
swollen
sullen

an afternoon's lark
of picking until dark-
fiddle heads delight
then nothing went right
river's tongue snapped
saliva’s foam lapped

Did you rumble
down the river-
tumble over the
dam,
water logged
swollen
sullen

fiddle heads pressed tight
into frozen hands all night
one hundred miles North
family searched forth
upon friday’s frightening sight
you bobbed in afternoon daylight

Did you rumble
down the river-
tumble over the
dam,
water logged
swollen
sullen

white male found
keening wail went round

still the chocolate river yawns
over yellow waving lawns
~~~

Search for Missing Kayaker Suspended


Bradford, Vermont - May 2, 2008

Poor water conditions mean that authorities in Vermont and New Hampshire temporarily suspended the search a missing kayaker in the Connecticut River.

Robert Swantak, 58, of Bradford, set out Thursday to pick fiddleheads along the river's edge but he never returned. Authorities spent most of the day Friday searching the Bugbee Boat Launch in Bradford where Swantak first put in. The Bugbee launch is on the Waits River which feeds into the Connecticut. Swantak's kayak was found on the Connecticut River about four miles downstream. It was overturned with a life jacket attached to it.

"Concentrations would be with the currents that we had (Thursday), would be where the Waits River meets the Connecticut River as well as had he been able to get any distance up the Connecticut River trying to cross from the Vermont side to his destination on the New Hampshire shoreline," explained N.H. Fish & Game Lt. Todd Bogardus.

Authorities say that the river is at flood stage and is just 46 degrees. Swantak is an experienced kayaker but not a very good swimmer.

even curbs in a storm can inspire Fine Art. Just being cheeky.

Coop Easter Break in

Raining all day and flooding and...weather

Winter's Spring break

2008~1981

Of fated party born

Right from the start
ole Bob gifted his heart
but Peg’s wealth gave him pause
er his pride be the cause
rather humble his birth
twas meager his girth

love's first glance he did tumble
oh but no gift was the stumble
verily her gaiety waited
every hour past was fated
simply broken he dreaded

Peg’s patience being shredded
ending my sonnet I disparage
given I was born of this marriage

~~~



(((This 14 line sonnet for a Valentines day contest reads first letter down:
Robert loves Peg)))

Robyn

River

today at the River

Dream Truck

so much to think about tonight

Chee

I am growing in my ability to put together photos and play on the computer- this begs for your feedback.

Guess what this is~

First snow 2007

been feeling moody

what do you think of this image?

photo

Tina and Bethany we are still looking for you

This is a poem after six years of searching for the bodies of Tina and Bethany Sinclair. Mother and daughter disappeared one night after a fight with the mother's boyfriend. Recently the boyfriend had been released from prison. He had been convicted for molestation of his daughter. These days he restlessly rides our roads again.
I have participated in searches for the last six years. The family would like to have closure.
We gathered this morning under a rain drenched gray tarp and ate donuts and pizza...waiting for something to unfold, maybe a miracle.

I rose at dawn
from red wrinkled sheets
unfolding my thoughts
from dreams
of cold streams


morning mountain search
heart sick from wondering
how to find
of their bodies


tobacco silky snake
slithered into my nostrils
chatter of eyebrow prices
hair highlighting accent
we waited

mourning mountain search
heart struck from wandering
looking for pieces
of their bodies

pandemonium over the perpetrator
riding his truck
too close to their memorial
an inward scream escapes
psychically thrashing

mourning mama sinks
her teeth into donuts
looking for places
to rest from their deaths

windy day
weeping seeping water
trees scratch the sky
till it’s bloodless
my eyes search the grass
a bit of bone or hair

mountain moving mama
sweet Tina
give us a tell, a hint
six years and still looking

mummy oh mummy

why pretend
to love me

I still hate you
wish it could change

ghosts scurry past
my angry energy

why pretend
to love you

yes you were sick
I know that so well

but why do I need
to excuse

you were so cruel
touch, word, look

I withered
power was yours

now you are dead
power is mine

wish I could be kind
to your memory

Elephant alas

1.
a strange tale I tell to thee
pray you pull up a chair and see
how in ancient times a fable came to pass
wild story of an elephant and a lass
marriage of man and beast
please come and join in the feast


2.
How did the elephant-god grow inside this one?
many noble men came and had their fun,
leaving slippery seeds tucked deep inside
to celebrate their human bride
but elephants in blue and gray
came stealthily into the fray


3.
elephants all night and day
with noses long that sure did sway
a quilt of wrinkled skin and toes
a path of peanut shells, god knows
elephants did duck and dart
while dancing into her heart


4.
when her babe was due be born
at four a.m. she was shorn
prayed Ganesh a solemn vow
help me to embrace this creature now
huge crowds gathered outside to see
the dazzling birth, at once, of thee


5.
dawn bled a crimson light
causing everyone a terrible fright
drunken men that had appeared quite tame
were wild and then became inhumane
elephants in blue and tan
were lurking close at hand



6.
bellowed through his long pink nose
burst her bedroom door with that hose
the crowd swelled and a few did jeer
many still toasting with a beer
elephants quite bold did dare
gallop upon the peopled square



7.
a hush descended over the air
baby rose from his birth chair
man and beast stood eye to ear
then came the stink of human fear
elephants in blue and red
where weeping tears of dread




8.
all were kneeling with their heads bowed low
two a breast in a neat long row
baby’s pink trunk wrapped round his mother’s waist
he suckled with a lusty haste
the evening star was drawing near
bawdy songs broke out for more beer


9.
my tale of course has a darker side
humans trampled when they tried to ride
the pink elephants that did appear
when finally consumed was all the beer
mourning elephants in black and gray
filed out of town in terribly quiet way

10.
by noon the troops had rallied
guns and bombs and fear were tallied
through the town the church bells rang
songs of beer no longer sang
“I knew they’d kill us!” they did chant
mother’s ears burned to hear such a rant

11.
drums began to beat
the sun turned up the heat
a thousand names elephants did call
“gods save us from this demonic fall
we had gathered to celebrate
human body with elephant pate”

12.
Elephants in meditations woke
as gods laughter loudly broke
thoughts of war all fell away
“We have lost the heart to kill today!”
elephants in yellow and white
led a parade of humane delight

13.
upon a lotus of mothers milk
songs of peace where the ilk
Ganesh’s father Shiva did appear
everyone ordered some near beer
Elephants adorned with flowers bright
ridden by humans all through the night

dreaming water: living air

~~~~
In the reflection I am well
sickness has no foothold
beneath water's skin of mirror
I am breathing with great ease
~~~~



~~~~
we paddled
over the icy skin
of river's dream,
you dying
me sick
from love
~~~~

mountain river me