Tom Killion perfects the effort of capturing California’s coast visually, and in text, with his book, Coast of California. First handprinted in 1979 from his Santa Cruz garage, then reprinted in 1987 by a Boston publisher, Tom initially focused his work geographically from Point Reyes to Point Sur. The second printing stretched out to encompass… Read More Coast of California – Tom Killion
First out on the road, on a weekend morning, Chryslers and Dodges, convertibles and sedans, rental cars for tourists. Next Gas 33 Miles Black asphalt, solid yellow double lines, freshly-plowed fields. Umber sandstone bluffs, black jagged rocks, white foam, and a cold, blue, shimmery-velvet Pacific. Cabrillo Highway. On the long straight-aways, seventeen Harley-riding bikers rumble… Read More Southbound
Facing West from California’s Shores Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892) Facing west from California’s shores, Inquiring, tireless, seeking what is yet unfound, I, a child, very old, over waves, towards the house of maternity, the land of migrations, look afar, Look off the shores of my Western sea, the circle almost circled, For starting westward,… Read More Facing West from California’s Shores – Walt Whitman
The Black Vulture by George Sterling (1869–1926) Aloof upon the day’s immeasured dome, He holds unshared the silence of the sky. Far down his bleak, relentless eyes descry The eagle’s empire and the falcon’s home— Far down, the galleons of sunset roam; His hazards on the sea of morning lie; Serene, he hears the broken… Read More The Black Vulture – George Sterling
The North Coast by Gary Snyder (1930 – ) Those picnics covered with sand No money made them more gay We passed over hills in the night And walked along beaches by day. Sage in the rain, or the sand Spattered by new-falling rain. That ocean was too cold to swim But we did it… Read More The North Coast – Gary Snyder
The Coast Road by Robinson Jeffers (1887 – 1962) from: Such Counsels You Gave To Me published: 1937 A horseman high-alone as an eagle on the spur of the mountain over Mirmas Canyon draws rein, looks down At the bridge-builders, men, trucks, the power-shovels, the teeming end of the new coast-road at the mountain’s base.… Read More The Coast Road – Robinson Jeffers
