Point Reyes, California

by Ellen Carter

It is important to know the names of things
the seals will follow you
dive and rise at your pace

at four a.m.
the rocks will crawl towards you
their hands alive with leaves of water

it is important to name the place
here the sky splits with a belly of new rain
it is important to know whom to ask when you have lost position

 

Ellen Carter grew up in Japan and Germany, then moved to Washington D.C., where she began writing. (Fall 1974)