A Snapshot of Current Beliefs

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

Collage poem by Vivian Faith Prescott

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

Planet Alaska