Whales at Golden Gardens

Instead of woods and wilderness
I walk the shores of a city park.
Nature brings a thrill
As the Sound is turbulent.
Dark water and white froth
Tussle against the shore,
Energized by storm surge.
As I watch the water
A black and shiny back
Smoothly emerges,
So unexpected I stare in disbelief,
Expecting it to turn into a wave.
Instead it arcs back down
Sliding gracefully below.
Only then do I exclaim wordlessly and point
Even though the moment has passed.
I finally splutter out "Whale!"
Disbelief churns like the water.
We stare intensely
And then…
Spray plumes up,
The whale's breath
Takes away
The collective breath
Of human spectators.
Glimpses of fins,
The elusive Orcas
Spout and surface
Choppy waves simmer –
With a stew pod of whales.

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