The Real Work
sea-lions and birds,
sun through fog
flaps up and lolling,
looks you dead in the eye.
sun haze;
a long tanker riding light and high.
sharp wave choppy line--
interface tide-flows--
seagulls sit on the meeting
eating;
we slide by white-stained cliffs.
the real work.
washing and sighing,
sliding by.
- Gary Snyder from Turtle Island