"The Ark" by Mark Bryan
Ric Masten
Whales Off Palo Coloradotoday I saw the whales
moving south along the coast
and had to stop the car and get out
and stand there just watchingone of them came in close to shore
and I thought to myself then
that the whole journey would be worth it
just to see the magic of this Atlantis ‹ rising
blowing and steaming from the sea
an island of life
today I saw the whales
and I was healed
Monterey Bay Aquarium
You Had To Have Been There"An other world experience" they say
and it does begin that way
a pod of whales nudging against the ceiling
a pool of quick silver setting off
the dark slow dance of kelp
a drift of stars flashes
changing directionin constant twilight
the habitats glow like liquid dreams
populated by a cast of characters
that sway swoop and glide
creep scramble and hide
just ahead sandpipers strut
not an arm¹s length away
and spray from captive wavesat the entrance to the Outer Bay
the dizzy whirl of anchovy
a wreath of tiny shiny surprises
and red mackerel heading south
toward deeper shadows
where neon umbrellas and translucent
parasols pulsate and mesmerizedwarfed, I catch my breath
beside "the largest window in the world"
the giant sweeping wall of glass
behind which apparitions pass
like angels in a vast misty firmament
the vibrant sound of the deep
surrounding uson another level though
there is something hauntingly familiar
about these alien creatures
in utero states of being recollected
distant cousins are recognized
ancient family ties re-connectedI come away from my day at the aquarium
buoyant! baptized!
Bio:
Ask Ric what he would like you to say by way of introduction. And he will answer: “Tell ‘em that I am like the taste of cilantro I can’t be put into words.” Poet, Troubadour, Unitarian/Universalist Minister (ordained without seminary training to honor his gifts) Song Writer (Tin Pan Alley), Philosopher, one who radically and rationally redefines the human experience in contemporary terms, author of eighteen books, and a friend and ally in the struggle for wholeness in life and living — that’s Ric Masten.
