Rock Talk

It’s a day to celebrate rocks. Each rock is a friend. Our koi pond is made up of many friends. We collected this community of seemingly silent companions with care and affection. We scoured the county for abandoned, wayward, homeless rocks and placed them permanently in our pond. The pond is a gallery of pals with mysterious histories. Each rock is distinct. Each is unique in color and texture. Each rock’s story is as diverse as its exterior. One large, flat rock tells me it’s pleased with things the way they are. The last location was harsh. She fell several feet to the ground on the side of a back road. She spent a lot of time crying. Her tears were the sand and gravel around the edges. It was a sea of sameness. The rock says she wishes that I could have brought her good friend that was left behind hanging on the cliff, but she understands. She’s made friends with most of her neighbors now. She doesn’t miss her other friend anymore. The rock that supports the water fall tells me he loves it when the waterfall runs. He likes showers and the flow is perfect. The island rocks have started a chorus. When the waterfall spills they slurp in rhythm. The ripples against the rocks are barely audible, but they make a beautiful soft sound. When I sit on the edge of the pond, supported by hundreds of rocks, I hear the language of rock. All the conversations blend together. I hear stillness and peace. The waterfall can drown out the undertone of rock talk, but I still get bits and pieces. When the pond is still, I hear rock tones and see rock colors that rival sunsets.

Rock Song

tumble, scramble, roll, spin,
bounce, thud, crash, split,
bang, crumble, jumble, keel
dive, burrow, dust, dissolve,

crunch, lean, crush, fly,
toss, spin, stop, dam,
hold, grab, dig, bury,
cast, scramble, wiggle, burst,

stumble, crouch, dip, descend,
drop, flop, pitch, sag,
slump, topple, spill, plunge,
yaw, strike, slant, cant,

boom, clang, clatter, clap,
clop, slam, wham, smooch,
smash, crack, chink, blast,
thump, rumble, slip, slide.

Catalina
Copyright 2007

Ciao!

Cathleen and Chris!

“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endeared,
Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone.”
John Keats