Places of the Heart

written by Genece

In the Pacific Northwest
crisp and delightful winds
gently breeze through the heart.
Arouse the intricacy of my soul
that is home to all the passions.
Calm to the breath of spirit and
sweet to the essence of my nature.  

The sea that whets my appetite
freshens and awakens
the call to life’s true purpose.
The voice that demands my truth
giving and receiving.
The vision that no longer haunts me,
the freedom of expression that wants me.

An island cottage to nurture my work
exceptional and beautiful.
The artist paints dreams in watercolor.
The writer writes authentic treasures.
Inspiring and voracious images
outpour from visual details
Words sketch into feelings of grace.

In the Pacific Northwest
from the inside world
meaningful rhythms that curve me
along the shores of my fulfillment.
Blissful thoughts are quiet and
vulnerable to the allure of water
that has brought me home to dream. 

This poem was written about Guemes Island (a small island 10 miles in radius) located in the Pacific Northwest (approx. 90 miles north of Seattle) where I lived for 2 1/2  years. The island is made up of people from all walks of life–home to artists, writers, professors, musicians, fishermen, environmentalists, hippies. and retired people. One of the things I most treasured while living there was that most people referred to the island as “an island of creative misfits and muses.”

You’d be amazed at how much happens in this magical place that’s just a short five minute ferry ride from the town of Anacortes, WA.  Facing the San Juan Islands, Orcas whales swim the channel on the west side and large egrets habit the north side. I lived in a cottage on the water only about 8 feet from the channel’s edge. You can imagine my excitement when the whales made their way past my place. Deeply connected to their spirit and sound, I could hear them from a distance when they were nearing the cottage. They spoke to me! I would speed to the shore and bellow in the loudest voice trying to speak their language. On Guemes, I didn’t have to worry what people would think.  I fit!