Big Sur
Night Prayer
Steward’s Point
Big Sur
The eagle wings gently into spreading night.
black cormorant screams its hunting whistle
above afternoon cliffs.
Wave and wave
white-capped swells flood the sea.
light sails the wind-carried waves.
Having fasted and have prayed,
I am ready for the feast–
fresh and clean.
The eagle,
feeds me on the Spirit,
shows me the glory of creation
nearness of God.
This is heaven,
the presence of God–
but we cannot see.
He helps me to see,
shows me the liveliness of everything.
He is the Old Man standing in a dark portal.
I am brother to Christ
forgive my transgressions
Eagle
Golden Eagle
the Eagle rests.
Steve Frost
Big Sur, California 1979
Night Prayer
Silver slipped
down the branch
lit night leaves
almost bright
carried dark shadows through
endless silence
Luminous gray
ruled the land
raised shadows,
laid patterns light
across field and trees,
across endless bramble
of this life’s night.
Owls, courting
loot
loot the countryside of mice
perch in pine tree outside my window
discuss the price of meat these days.
All
all speak of endless patient waiting
for the endless, endless
end
San Francisquito Canyon, California 1979
STEWARD’S POINT
Light sails the wind-carried waves–
big swells and whitecaps.
My eyes rest on the largess of now…
Luminous salt, liquid sea,
Turquoise sea–
white foam and light;
Fresh, clean, rushing waves
Fresh and clean as the rush of heaven.
Steward’s Point
Big Sur, California