The Sierras and the Pacific

[Tinker]

The Sierras and the Pacific

Part I
The Sierras call
          In the east the mountains rise, rocky and steep,
         with craggy boulders that one must scramble or leap.

Evergreens stand sentinel
         Prepared for snow, their branches reach down
         with glossy green needles, from base to crown

Wildlife abounds
         Squirrels scurry, coyote stalk, black bears roam,
         a young buck rubs a tree to shed his velvet loam.

Seasonal paradise
         Ski races, skating on ice, lounge by a fire, best winter sport,
         splash in the summer lakes, ride a horse, or hike in shorts.
         The Sierras call.

Part II
Sirens of the Pacific
         Lazily stroll barefoot on the warm wet sandy shore
         with toes tickled by foam, and listen to the ocean roar.

Madrones, on guard
         Sculptured by the wind these red trees bend east,
        knarled driftwood and seaweed add to the visual feast

Bounty of the sea
         In the ocean’s depth reside creatures enormous and tiny,
         some cling to rocks, some swim deep, and some are briny.

Year-round action
         Bikini or wetsuit, surfing, kayaking, sunbathing or fishing,
         and best of all, a bonfire on the beach and moonlight kissing.
         Sirens of the Pacific.
                                      ~~Judi Van Gorder

Verse Form: Sidewalk Poem a la Gervic

[badger11]

Very much enjoyed the parallels Judi.

[Tinker]

Thanks Phil, chasing a form.  ~~Judi

[badger11]

And successfully so!

[Tinker]

Note: It's a 5 1/2 hour drive between the Pacific and the Sierras (the beauty of living in California) and I live between them, closer to the Pacific (15 min drive)  but have in my youth lived in the Sierras.  I've experienced everything in the poem except kayaking.  There are 2 kayaks sitting out in my horse pasture right now.  

[David W. Parsley]

Pleasing rhymes and rhythms to frame this lovely contrast, Judi.

P.S. I can see the kayaks resting upside down in the horse pasture, too!  😉

 - David

[Tinker]

Thanks Dave, Exactly, they are upside down right next to the frontage gate.   They were my tenant's and he was getting rid of them and I just couldn't let that happen.  Adventure calls but I think I'll wait for my son to give it a try.   ~~Judi

[Terry A]

This would be a beautiful poem to place in a travel brochure.  Especially liked the lines, "Lazily stroll barefoot on the warm wet sandy shore
         with toes tickled by foam and listen to the ocean roar". The imagery gives life to what you describe.

[Tinker]

Thanks Terry,  And yes the ocean, especially here in the north is definitely "alive".  

~~Judi