by C. J. Kreit
Paddling along the striated cliffs, the guide tells us
That the rocks were deposited up to a billion years ago,
How each color was formed by layers of minerals.
Iron, manganese, copper, and limonite:
Red, black, blue, and white.
But he cannot explain
Why my breath catches at the sunlight
Capering among the cold, clean waves,
The way it dances along the towering rock face,
Breathing the colors to life
Like scarlet and sapphire skirts twirling
To music played on a weather-worn piano,
Accompanied by the crush of waves
And the squalling of seagulls.
Dwarfed in the shadow of splendor,
I sit in my boat, astonished into silence
As if the hand of God has stilled me.
What is it here for if not to inspire awe?
What are we here for if not to delight in beauty?
C.J. Kreit lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and two young sons, but she grew up in Michigan, where she fell in love with the Great Lakes. Along with reading and writing, she enjoys working with horses, hiking, and other outdoor activities.