Boardwalk strolling along Elliot Bay,
looking out over waves
kissed gently by morning light ~
saltwater mist brushing my face,
its scent mixing nicely
with Starbucks' smooth aroma
rising from the cup warming my hands.
Gulls chattering nearby,
awaiting fries and bread crumbs
inevitably tossed by locals and tourists.
Spoonman on the corner,
counting out rhythm against his legs,
appreciative passers-by dropping change.
A ferry's horn alerts passengers,
soon departing port,
crossing Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island ~
its half-hour ride peaceful,
orca sightings a rare, beautiful sideshow.
Fresh seafood being brought ashore,
local delicacies served in fine dining ~
or tossed in Pike Place's Market
for customers' entertainment.
A kaleidoscope of sights and sounds
indigenous to Seattle's waking waterfront,
complimenting the folks who live here.
Author notes
Elliot Bay is Seattle's waterfront. Seattle is the home of Starbucks 
Spoonman & fish tossing @ Pike Place Market are local attractions (images can be googled) ~ Spoonman was immortalized by Soundgarden's song of the same name (Soundgarden, themselves, Seattle natives)...The sights & sounds I talk about in this piece are parts of my life, having grown up on Puget Sound.
Image credit: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/83/273286914_9e31f42fc1.jpg?v=0
In a list
A contest entry
- 'Images From Around the World' by Cynthia Gaines.
2000 points, ended September 19, 2008, 18 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Washington by Cerulean Sunrise.
575 points, ended December 20, 2008, 8 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - BATTLE OF THE GOLDS Freeverse by Swan song.
1300 points, ended January 6, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - IN MY LITTLE TOWN by condor.
1700 points, ended January 16, 13 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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ahhh..so lovely
you described seattle so well..and you selected a few nice lines to write about among the many seattle atrractions...well written
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...i can picture you here
a great place to find dreams....
love, lane
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This is great, reading it makes me feel as if I have been on a Sunday morning stroll along Elliot Bay. Thanks for the experience.
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nice
very nice poem Glad it was the first entry to my contest!! you certainly have set the bar quite high!
Looking forward to judging!
Emma -
wow, a great picture you paint of a seaside wharf and the sounds even come through loud and clear. Congrats on the gold!
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A beautiful soothing write that really made me feel comfortable and happy. I do very much like the picture as it gives me a view of your bay, and the gull looks like he had posed for this shot, doesn't he? All that delicious seafood you spoke of kinda got me hungry and I have to nick out a grab a bit of tucker before i continue. I'll be back.
Okay, I'm back. Just grabbed some toast to see me through. Where was I? Oh yeah. I have heard of Starbucks quite often on here and everyone seems to love the place. Is that something like Macca's or similar? Anyway, an incredible write with so much description, it made wish i could be there, and a sighting of an Orca? Wow! That would be something. Thank you for entering the contest.
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Seattle is an awesome place!!!!!! and you did it justice with this poem
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one more thing to say about your write
I accidently clicked too early.
I also liked the intermingled habits of the water fowl and culture after the habitat was shown something of same but made anew... yet modern and simple still.
my favorite detail was "orca sightings a rare, beautiful sideshow" from the facility to get you back to faces --
meandering can be stimulating,
called Carolyn
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many scenes in one, congratulations on gold focus
your furst stanza hit the nerve of experience of landscape and addition with "its scent mixing nicely" by a permanent and current moment even interestingly.
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many scenes in one, congratulations on gold focus
your first stanza hit the nerve of experience by landscape and addition with "its scent mixing nicely" by a permanent and current moment even interestingly.
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This is Seattle!!! I have not been to Pikes Place market in so long. I need to make a trip. I loved the visual within this read, I can taste, smell and see it all so clear. Well done, a well deserved gold.
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Oh this is great.
I was only there a week and a half but I feel qualified to say you have done well capturing it in verse.
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i love how full this is with sound, and smell, and sight.
and of course, i love all the starbucks references
thanks for entering.
pt
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Awesomely descriptive... how I'd love to visit your gorgeous, kaleidoscopic waterfront... I would sincerely like to thank you for taking the time to enter my contest, 'Images From Around the World' with your beautifully thought-provoking poem. The imagery was perfect for this piece!! Judging will be done soon, and I wish the best of luck to you!! Thanks again, and have a great day!!! Take care, Cyn 
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Wow sounds like quite a beautiful place you live in... love your simple yet effective descriptions... good luck in the contest
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You have painted a beautiful picture, and brought the reader to Elliot Bay. Enjoyed!
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Well ...
now I too know the waterfront of Seattle ...
And with poetic flair I was introduced. Thank you so much for a vivid poem, and very tactile in its presentation.
Well done Poet.
Myra
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Your imagery in this is quite amazing...really puts the reader right there with you. I read a book not long ago that took place on Puget Sound...I can honestly say you've painted a more vivid portrait of the area in 25 lines, than the author did in 300+ pages...proving (to me, at least
) that less really is more in many cases.
Best of luck in the contest...seems like your prompts were absolutely made just for this.
Best wishes,
~J.
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Hi Julie,
Thank you for the wonderful comment. While I no longer live in the area, I still have fond memories. My mom & family still live there, so hopefully I'll be taking Lisa to visit soon.
Tim
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Superb plus
Aye, 'tis quite a fine description of our waterfront. Your love of Seattle, shines through. I love writing my poetry, during the summer, in Myrtle Edwards Park; Freeway Park, and of course the Arboretum, however never on any regular schedule. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
If you care to do so, I'ld appreciate your comments on:
"Hollows", http://allpoetry.com/poem/2708768.
I wrote this one after the first time I walked through the sculpture "Wake", In the Olympic Sculpture Park. I was sitting above it by th N. entrance to the reception center when I wrote it.
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thank you, i knew you'd appreciate this ~ if only for the memories locals have of the area.
remember ivar? (ivar's fish)
my grandfather actually knew him way back when ivar was starting out.
there is so much i could have put into this, but there are others from the area ~ i've gotta leave some for them to write!
i'll check out your poem in a lil bit, you caught me in the middle of something. -
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You are quite welcome. Cools.
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You paint a very pretty picture. I and almost smell the salty sea air. And fresh seafood...... I miss it. I cannot wait to get back to Maine this fall.
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You have done a wonderful job of putting the reader on the spot. Very descriptive, to the point of me thinking I hear seagulls and feel the mist on my face. I love the water and this is a great rendition of one of my favorite places. Good luck in the contest. ~ Joyce
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