... after a wearying midnight motorcycle ride home in heavy fog, i managed a couple of hours sleep before john arrived at four o'clock in the morning to pick me up for a little wanderabout down to watch sunrise from the portland head light ...
... it is said that this is the most photographed lighthouse in the world ...
... in 1787 george washington ordered the building of the first tower on this point ...
... the lamp is 101 feet high, and the 200,000 candlepower beacon can be seen by ships more than twenty-five miles from shore ...
... over a mile away across the channel is the ram island light, which for the most part is now the primary warning for mariners ...
... we watched the working boats returning with their catch ...
... and we observed the potpullers heading out ...
... a dense dew coated plants and flowers in crystal coolness ...
... i found secrets hiding in the thicket ...
... while a little bird pecked away at breakfast ...
... i was captivated by the singularity of this blossom ...
... so beautiful, even i've not a clue as to what they are ... (beth, please, help) ...
... "a rose by any other name" ... ??? ... again, i'm clueless ...
... my little friend invited a pal to join our morning chat ...
... the morning arrived in full, sea breeze humid and warm building to hot, so we packed up and headed to "becky's" in portland for breakfast ...
A new Prometheus, chained upon the rock,
Still grasping in his hand the fire of Jove,
It does not hear the cry, nor heed the shock,
But hails the mariner with words of love.
"Sail on!" it says, "sail on, ye stately ships!
And with your floating bridge the ocean span;
Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse,
Be yours to bring man nearer unto man!"
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW