Settling - A Poem By Denise Levertov

There is a framed poem sitting on a table in the house I'll stay for the next 10 days. Behind this poem is the above view of Orcas Island.

 I was welcomed here-clear gold

of late summer, of opening autumn

the dawn eagle sunning himself on the highest tree

the mountain revealing herself unclouded, her snow

tinted apricot as she looked west,

tolerant, in her steadfastness, of the restless sun

forever rising and setting.

                       Now I am given

a taste of the grey foretold by all and sundry,

a grey both heavy and chill. I've boasted, I would not care,

I'm London-born, And I won't. I'll dig in,

into my days, having come here to live, not to visit.

Grey is the price

of neighboring with eagles, of knowing

a mountain's vast presence, seen or unseen.

- Denise Levertov

I get the feeling this will be a much-needed respite away from the settling grey of Seattle winter.