Poet’s Beach

I generally start my day around 7 o’clock and a common problem I encounter is that many of places I want to visit don’t open until 9 o’clock or later.  Such was the case here.  I did go to two different places which were open early (too many other posts today, but you may see them later) before heading downtown.  Well, the Chinese garden didn’t open until 10 (I thought it was 9) so I had some time to kill and took a stroll down the Portland waterfront, which runs along the Willamette River.

At one point along the waterfront is a small area they call Poet’s Beach.  There I found thoughts etched into large rocks along the walkway representing comments made about the river by local school children of various ages.  I posted 3 such comments as photos and have transcribed the others below.

Some of the comments are very insightful, especially given the age of some of the kids.  I found the whole concept very interesting and inspiring.

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“I am the Williamette and my memory is long.  In the choir of my currents, I sing a sacred song. Come and seek my silent places where the heron stands like stone. Come and let my song embrace you, seep into your heart and bone”   Jordan, 4th Grade

“As I walk tranquility propels me to the river, leading myself inside of me”   Anusnka, 4th Grade

“Somewhere along the way the river picked up some of our hopes and dreams and gave us back serenity”   Phebe,  12th Grade

“The stories will change, the surroundings will change, the people will change, and the river will keep on flowing through the ages”   Athena, 12th Grade

“The river holds a gentle current, like a piano filled with music”   Claire, 4th Grade  (Blogger’s note:  4th Grade!)

“The river shivers, from the mountain’s melted snow”   Pierce, 2nd Grade

“River you run within me”   Ashi, 6th Grade

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One can only hope some of these kids become the leaders of tomorrow!  I started to say “grow up to become…” but they already seem pretty grown up.