In the middle of my life, I soared
out of the desert, over the mountains,
to the sea. It is a theme i keep
returning to, that triumphant homecoming,
where every misty cloud on Meares
made me catch my breath in silly joy, where
my utterances were all preceded by
long, drawn-out "wow"'s: at surf-topped waves,
at sunsets beautiful enough to break your heart,
at bioluminescence, at the fight to save the old-growth,
me exactly where i needed to be, heart soaring with
the seabirds wheeling free over shining waters.
Fulfilment was a full heart, amazed at
having made my dream come true.
I didnt say it was easy - working two and three
jobs at a time, trying to find the next place to live.
But the payoff was the beauty, walking through
some of the most spectacular landscape on the planet.
Leaving such golden joy broke my heart.
I mourned for years until i knew: i needed
to return, close that circle, have more years
in this forever place, satisfy the longing of my soul
to be back home. It was like this: i was happy there.
Inspired by the title "It was like this: I was happy" by Jane Hirshfield.