for Daniel

Even with my eyes half open
I can see it
as I saw it then
though it's been forty years
and more
it was just down the road
from where we moved
the year my son
turned two
who now has twins
starting to think of college

Looking across the broad
outcrop of rock
musseled and barnacled
grey cliffs skirting the headland
with the ocean pushing hard
on all three sides
swells sweeping in
spray whooshing
through the blowhole
with the sound
of rushing wind
and white mist rising
dragons swirling in the air
then falling back
dispersing till the rush
of the next wave

This was the place
my son brought me
when he was three and four
and five holding my hand
as we climbed down
as close as it felt safe
watching as dragons
rose up in the air
only to vanish
making space for the next wave's
wondrous creation