Battle Rock

I.

“We were landed at Port Orford on the morning of the 9th of June 1851.”–Capt. J.M. Kirkpatrick

Driftwood lines the cliffs,
bone white and rough,
a jungle gym of logs.
remember when
surf at low tide
could knock you over
June 1851: nine white men
drew the port on their maps,
summer wind bellowing,

“We found the Indians, who made their appearance when we
first landed, to be somewhat friendly, manifesting a disposition
to trade with us.”

and still Main Street whistles,
creaks, fishermen tie
their boats tight.

from “Battle Rock” in The Marrow’s Telling