it's tough trying
to zone out
in a backwoods oregon internet bar
truck racing roaring away
on the nascar channel
all five televisions
surrounding it all
jagged half-logged national piney forest
shaking up every angry mosquito
from a hiding place
left to pick at humans even canines
when given half a chance
the sisters peek
from snow capped peaks
the chill at crescent lake
meets a thick-skinned kayak
& volcanic scratches
like a signature incognito
and still
each sunrise and sunset
in the old coastal towns
of astoria and florence
and a score in between
are all unique compositions
reflections
ragged rocks & surf
shadows
& seals
that throw the unpredictable
into the abstract
only a great painter
can give the images
life
with color and texture
we're all in the spectrum
and with great reverence
i leave it at that
--- e b bortz
