Alaska

 

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THE  ORANGE  GLOW  OF  THE  SUN  SURRENDERS TO THE   PINK  AND  PURPLE  SKIES  AROUND  IT.

I  HEAR  THE  DEAFENING  THUNDER  OF  THE  FRAGILE  GLACIERS,

FALLING  INTO  THE  ICY  WATERS.
THEY  SLAM  INTO  THE  SEA,  AS  IT’S  OMINOUS  ECHOS
 INVADE  THE  SNOW  CAPPED  ALASKAN  MOUNTAINS
AND STIRS  OUR  SENSES.
THEY  LIFT  THE  OCEAN  SURFACE,  FORCING  THE
JEWEL  TO ROCK  FROM  PORT  TO  STARBOARD.
THE  INCESSANT  RUMBLE  OF  THE  DIESEL  ENGINES,
 REVERVERATING  OFF  OUR  CABIN  WALLS,  POWERS
THE  JEWEL  TO  SLICE  FORWARD,
THE  WIND  AND  WAVELETS  YIELD  THEIR  WAY  TO
THE   UNRELENTING  POWER  OF  THIS  MIGHTY  SHIP.
ONWARD  —-  TO  YET   ANOTHER  PORT!
I  CATCH  A  GLIMPSE  OF  THE  BRIGHT  GREEN  AND
YELLOW  COLORS  OF  THE WHITE  PASS  &  YUKON
LOCOMOTIVES,  HUDDLED  ON  SKAGWAY’S  PIER
WITH THE  GLISTENING  SNOW  PEAKS  SITTING
BEYOND  THIS  QUAINT  AND  CHARMING  TOWN.
JUST  AS  JUNEAU  AND  KETCHIKAN  WELCOMED  OUR
COLORFUL  CRUISER  INTO  THEIR STORIED  PAST,
I  WONDER  WHAT  ADVENTURES  AWAIT  US  NOW —-
WHEN  THE  CONDUCTOR  ANNOUNCES,  ‘’ALL
 ABOARD”  THIS  OLD, — RUGGED —  RAILROAD.

 

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                                    J.L. LOBEL    9.17.2015

 

 

2 thoughts on “Alaska”

  1. I love the lines, ” colorful cruiser into their storied past” , “locomotives huddled” and “rugged railroad “… so many great images and sounds. Thanks Joe.

  2. A robust piece with many powerful, beautiful images. I want to hear for myself that deafening thunder of the fragile glaciers. Your description pulls me in and makes me want to see this with you. As with the conductor’s cry, “All aboard,” I am ready for the journey.

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