From Lake Cachuma to Santa Barbara

FROM LAKE CACHUMA TO SANTA BARBARA

I.
The lake is blue water under a clear sky--
much darker than aquamarine--a liquid gem
circumscribed by gold and tan hills covered
in scrub oak, and dry, sun-parched grass,
the San Rafael Range shimmering in the east.  
It is here--on our way to Santa Barbara via
Highway 154--we rest at a picnic table
        under a large spreading tree.
Our actress daughter hams it up again
for the camera: she sits on a sawed-off utility
pole used as a traffic barrier--striking an
exaggerated pseudo-glamour pose--
as if it’s a 1930's steamer trunk , and she a
celebrity about to go to sea on the Cunard Line.
                
II.
It’s up and over the San Ynez Mountains on
154 toward US 101 and Santa Barbara--
the road twisting, turning and plunging through
mountain cuts--my hands sweaty on the wheel
with acrophobia--fighting the crazy urge
to look out over the vast vista below--just to
punish myself for the weakness of my mind.

III.
Finally into Santa Barbara and the Botanical
Gardens with a canyon trail filled with giant
rocks, western trees and exotic flora.
Strange that arranged nature should be so
alluring after passing through wild country!
The American traveler, sometimes likes his
adventure a bit controlled, and . . . paid for.
Ownership is everything in the land of the free!

Author's Note

Another poem in my American Journey West series.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Having gone to UCSB for 2 years, I am familiar with & love this very drive that you describe. I love your description of your daughter dancing on a stump -- your words as creative as her actions! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[kentuck14]

Thanks Margie for your kind revue.
T

[Robert Trakofler]

That acrophobia line got me... I completely identified with that description... I get that so bad now! Yes I used to jump out of airplanes and repel but now I get it so bad, I have a regular dream of sliding off the side of a hill while driving usually the night after driving for a lengthy time:) In truth it all started after 9/11 and seeing all of the people falling off the buildings I got nightmares from that and ever since I get acrophobia

[kentuck14]

Mine started as a young man . . . went up a long latter to do something on the house and it hit me suddenly . . . could barely get myself down.
T

[Eilis]

Tom, you make this look very easy, but I know it isn't easy to condense experience in this way and also include an observational thread that resonates through the spirit of the work. I enjoy the way this is all tied up at the end with the idea of ownership and how we do like to make our mark and have the sense that we can claim things as our own. Twentieth century travel and now twenty-first century travel even more so offer the illusion that the earth itself is under human domination, but the earth can surprise and change all of our expectations instantaneously.

There's a kind of ominous feeling to the end here where the driver is sensing his own lack of control and then the segue into the idea of being owners of something so vast. What will follow. Ultimately, we know there's an end, but we do like to keep living the dream of immortality and dominance.

Really great imagery/scenery in this one. This collection could make a really nice poetry chapter book. I have enjoyed your travelogue thus far.

[kentuck14]

E,
Practice, practice, practice . . . it's the only way I know. A lot of it is just finding your "voice." Yes . . . I really didn't see what you mentioned in your review. Lack of control and ownership does seem to play a big part in my mind here. The traveler, like anyone traveling through life, likes to feel in control . . . but experiencing a lack of control certainly offers one a whole new perspective. Perhaps we don't really seek adventure as much as 'safe passage.' In a way, it's our loss.

Yes, been thinking of trying to get these west coast poems into a chapbook. Perhaps 2 or 3 more poems and it's done! However I realize these are 'niche' poems . . . not to everyone's liking. But we must be true to our 'voice!'

Again, thanks for your thoughtful review.
T

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it might be fun to go back to the 1930's
and find one of those celebrities ....get their autograph and take a picture with them.
more traveling in which your poetry takes us with you.

[kentuck14]

Thanks J . . . oh, for a time machine!!!!
T