We are the Luminaries
coo coo cachoo
Friendly Nehalem Gathering
Featuring a Mind-Glowing Story
Porch at Riverside Food-Carts
Wednesday August 16, 2023
7:30 pm till Dark
The Oregon coast becomes a superstar during peak tourist season.
Visitors surge into our homeplace, sometimes like screaming groupies.
Residents must adapt to life in a crowded bubble of celebrity.
Thankfully August brings bright marine dinoflagellates here
to help us through the final stretch of summer.
Our eukaryote kin remind us that every living cell hosts inner starlight.
We counter pressures on the spaces we cherish by combining our shine.
Yes, bioluminescence is a perfect metaphor for community spirit.
Resilience glows when we celebrate mutual respect and dispel misunderstandings.
A primordial way for humans to grow this radiance is through storytelling.
My friend Mark Nelson told me one of the best stories I’ve ever heard
while standing on a local sidewalk, which affirmed the sacred nature of our locality.
He recalled the magical mystery of a personal encounter with superstardom
when he was 6 years old. Now shimmering in our 60s,
Mark is joining me to share this true story as part of a healing community talk.
We’re conspiring to spread fresh faith in humanity’s capacity for love.
Afterwards, depending on the elements, we’ll lead a phosphorescent frolic by the docks.
Everyone can sing-a-long to a few pop psalms and reground our shared local fame,
then maybe jump in the river for a baptismal swim with psychedelic cousins.
Children of all ages are welcome, including prodigal hippies.
No need for drugs or alcohol.
We are all glowing and growing!
If I can’t be there in person, I will be sending you light and love.
This is a beautiful poem, Watt. While I won’t be in town for the event, I am already sufficiently envious. I’ll be there in spirit!
Take a plunge into that starlit river for me. Cheers.