A Snapshot of Current Beliefs


"A Snapshot of Current Beliefs" video poem by Vivian Faith Prescott


Collage poem by Vivian Faith Prescott



A Snapshot of Current Beliefs



I think of the sea exhaling and inhaling
       against the shoreline, forming it

into unrecognizable shapes, how the
      ocean curves beyond our line of sight.

I think of the sky chasing the sun
       into an evening blush, 

and the morning winds and afternoon torrents.
     We’ve had months of this: 

the rain washing salmon eggs from
     streams, the algae cloud beneath 

the surface. I sense the ocean here
       is different; 

the weight of the gods’ footfalls
      sink down. Our faith has dulled,

once hook-sharp, pressed against
      our whorled thumbs. 

Still, the holy ones venture out
     into the dark hush

to try and save us from ourselves.
     They practice prayers 

to change these rainfall patterns,
     and quickly repair our seawalls. 

But all the crows have flown
     to their roosts and only

the loons and the herons are present
     to bear witness.


by Vivian Faith Prescott

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