Poet’s Corner: Romancing the Rock

Published 12:24 am Thursday, December 10, 2015

Romancing the Rock

By Hedy-Jo Huss, Soldotna

Toddlers to teens, adults to

seniors and all in-betweeners

succumb to the rhythms of the

sea. Perhaps it is primal to

reconnect to the sea scientists

say was our Earthling birthplace.

Why, I ask you to ponder, are

we seemingly universal in this

desire, obsession to touch, examine

and collect rocks tumbled

by, twice a day, the tides.

Rocks, gull droppings, clots of kelp,

and scavenged crustaceans

signal “This beach is open for

prospecting!” “Betcha can’t help

but look down” as you walk.

Sand scouting finds that the distance

traveled exceeds expectations:

“Wow! We are already at Clam Gulch.”

“I can’t imagine how we passed the submerged
pier where we were gonna turn around.”

“Too late to witness the sunset from our deck.”

“It will be dark when we get back to town.”

Prospecting is not a prescribed

process; collecting rocks falls into

a different paradigm — yours.

Rocks exhibit realism,

expressionism and abstraction.

Like art and snowflakes,

no two are alike.

Collecting exudes an experience,

even fleeting, partly within

the collector. Stangely, but

strongly, a reconnection to

the earth is made.

Mention rock collecting to

peers, passers-by and people

who are small and — voíla —

a huge outpouring of stories!

Good luck and God Speed.

Go romance your rocks.