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CULTURE AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
CAPE CANAVERAL CITY HALL
100 POLK AVE
JANUARY 31, 2019
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Any member of the public may address any items that do not appear on the agenda and any agenda item that is listed
on the agenda for final official action by the Culture and Leisure Services Board excluding public hearing items which
are heard at the public hearing portion of the meeting,ministerial items(e.g.,approval of agenda,minutes,information
items) and quasi-judicial or emergency items. Citizens are encouraged to limit their comments to three(3) minutes.
The Culture and Leisure Services Board will not take any action tinder the"Public Participation"section of the agenda.
The Culture and Leisure Services Board may schedule items not on the agenda as regular items and act upon them in
the future.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
5:40 p.m. 6:20 p.m.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes —November 29, 2018
2. Staff Report—QUESTIONS & COMMENTS ONLY
3. Old Business
4. New Business
• Recommendation of Poet Laureate Candidate to City Council
ADJOURNMENT:
Pursuant to Section 286-0105,Florida Statutes,the City hereby advises the public that: If a person decides to appeal any decision
made by the Culture and Leisure Services Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, that person will need a
record of the proceedings,and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent
by the City for the introduction or admission into evidence of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence,nor does it authorize
challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed by law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act: all interested parties may attend this Public Meeting. The facility is
accessible to the physically handicapped. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in the proceedings should
contact Molly Thomas,City of Cape Canaveral Leisure Services(868-1226)48 hours in advance of the meeting.
CULTURE AND LEISURE SERVICES BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 29, 2018
A meeting of the Culture and Leisure Services Board was held on November 29, 2018, at Cape
Canaveral City Hall, 100 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The meeting was called to order
at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Gene Petre. The Secretary called the roll.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Gene Petre Chairperson
Douglas Raymond Vice Chairperson
Barbara McPeek
Larry Holmes
Maureen Michel
Tim Bass
Mickie Kellum
OTHERS PRESENT
Gustavo Vergara Culture and Leisure Services Director
Molly Thomas Board Secretary–Cultural Programs Manager
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2018
Motion by Mr.Raymond to approve meeting minutes of September 27,2018 as written—seconded
by Ms. Michel. Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
■ Mr. Vergara reminded board of upcoming holiday events.
■ Mr. Petre inquired about the youth center and progress on the dog park.
■ Ms. Kellum complimented staff on Halloween event.
■ Mr. Vergara updated board on Friday Fest alcohol process and non-profit opportunities.
■ Mr. Holmes inquired about accessibility of the chess set and dogs in parks.
■ Mr. Petre requested an update on SCAF follow-up and Irma Canoe event.
NEW BUSINESS:
■ Ms. Kellum inquired about tying the VFW Cancer Walk into Mayor's Fitness Challenge.
ADJORNMENT:
There being no further business, Mr. Holmes made a motion to adjourn—seconded by Ms.
McPeek Vote on the motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
Approved on this day of , 2018.
Gene Petre, Chairperson Molly Thomas, Board Secretary
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CITY OF
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CAPE CANAVERAL CULTURE AND LEISURE SERVICES
ADVISORY BOARD STAFF REPORT
JANUARY 31, 2019
Copied from Weekly Updates 1113012018 - 0111812019
No updates: 1212812018, 0110412019 or 0112512019
Special Events
Holiday in the City Recap: City Hall was
bright with lights and amazing music filled
the air as this annual event kicked off the
Cape Canaveral holiday season in high
.i fashion and showcased some of the best our
city has to offer. The Community came
together to enjoy performances by the Cape
View Elementary Chorus and the Cocoa
Beach High School String Ensemble,
who—as always—did a remarkable job and
played an assortment of new and old
holiday favorites. Staff received dozens of compliments on the beauty, elegance and sense of
place provided by the new City Hall,plaza and decorations. The usual array of Friday Fest
activities closed out the night with a record number of vendors and attendees. It was truly a night
to remember.
23rd Annual Reindeer Run Recap: This
year's Reindeer Run was one for the
record books. Some 604 runners and
walkers showed up at Cherie Down
park and took part in what turned out
to be a gorgeous morning of fun and
exercise. Sheriff Ivey pumped
everyone up before the race, Santa
made an appearance to spread good
cheer and holiday music filled the air to raise funds for a great cause. A big thank you to
everyone who worked to make this event happen, it truly takes an all-hands-on-deck approach
and almost every City Department played a role in the event's success. Plans have already started
to make next year's event an even bigger success!
2019 Friday Fest Event Season: After a taking a break for the New Year's holiday, the City
plans to kick-off its 2019 Friday Fest event season with a bang, on Friday, February 1, 2019 from
6:00 — 10:00 pm. This family and leashed-dog friendly street fair takes place on Taylor Avenue
in Cape Canaveral, and features food trucks, local artists, craft/retail vendors, and a huge bounce
house area to keep the kiddos entertained. Central Florida's top Americana-Rock band, Spayed
Koolie, will be rocking the stage and the beer and wine sales from this event will benefit the
Space Coast Little League. This event welcomes guests of all ages and as always, admission is
free.
Movin'in the City: Join us for a Health and Fitness Expo to
kick off the 2019 Mayor's Fitness Challenge on Saturday,
February 2nd at Taylor and Poinsetta avenues. The event will
take place from 9:00 a.m. to noon and will include local
service providers, fitness program instructors '
demonstrations, a community walk and a guided community ' v
bike ride. It's a great way to start earning minutes for the ° ' `
Fitness Challenge. T-shirts will be distributed to all those �op
who registered for the challenge before Januar 15th! Visit
g g January
www.cilyofcnecanaveral.org/fitnesschallenge to learn
more!
Street Eats on Taylor Ave: The next event will take place Saturday, February 9 from 6:00 to 8:00
PM. Taylor Avenue will be closed between the Nancy Hanson Recreation Complex and the
Sheriff's Office parking lot and as always will feature several new trucks and Bavarian style
seating.
Athletic Leagues
Racquetball: Wednesday night racquetball is in full swing having played week 7 of its 11-week
schedule. Ernie and Greg currently sit at the top of the standings board with an overall record of
4-1. Greg holds the tie-breaker, having beat Ernie 2 games to 1. The City will host a new drop-in
cut-throat racquetball program. Players can stop by the Nancy Hanson Recreation Complex on
Mondays beginning January 14th for a fun night of cut-throat racquetball from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The cost to play is $3.00 per player.
Kickball: Players in the Wednesday night kickball league have enjoyed taking the field again
after the league took a break to celebrate the holidays. Graham's and W.S. are in a close race for
the top seed. Graham's currently has a slight edge over the trailing W.S. team.
Softball: The City of Cape Canaveral is starting a 16-inch drop-in softball beginning Thursday,
February 7th. Players 18 and older are encouraged to come play at Canaveral City Park on
Thursdays between 6:30-8:00 p.m. for a night fun and friendly competition.
Tennis: Monday and Wednesday night tennis leagues are currently making up matches not
played during the regular season before beginning playoffs next week. The top two seeds will
receive a first round bye week and automatically advance to the semi-finals. Thursday night
tennis league will host the championship match this week between Ryan (4-3) and Gary (7-0).
All tennis leagues are currently registering for the next season.
Athlete of the Month-December: Andreas G. is a 67-year-old
Cape Canaveral resident who loves to stay active by playing in
the City tennis league multiple times per week. Andreas also
participates in other recreational programs such as ballroom
dance and the annual Reindeer Run. During his free time, you
can find Andreas sailing, biking or surfing all around Cape
Canaveral and beyond. He never misses a Friday Fest and also
loves participating in classes with his wife at the Nancy Hanson
Recreation Complex.
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Parks & Facilities ���; ��
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Manatee Sanctuary Park Playground: You asked for it, we
answered! The playground at Manatee Sanctuary Park is
closed for repairs and upgrades as Staff installs a new °'
swing set! ”
They are putting the final touches on it this week so stay
tuned to the City's social media pages for updates on '
progress.
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Cultural Programs
Further Dating Research on the Irma Canoe: Researchers from the University of Georgia and
the University of Tennessee, who had worked with the Irma Canoe following its discovery, have
received a grant to do additional dating research on the historical dugout. The method to be used
for this round of testing is called "wiggle matching," which takes tiny samples from individual
growth bands and attempts to"fit" the carbon 14 results into the shape of the "wiggles" seen in
the calibration curve. While this is a relatively common technique in Europe, this will be its first
application in the Southeastern United States and the first time it will be used to date a dugout
canoe. The researchers are excited about the potential for a more precise age determination and
will present their findings at the Radiocarbon & Archaeology Conference next spring. The
samples needed for this testing are incredibly small and will be taken from the portion of the
canoe that was detached for the dendrochronology testing prior to its arrival at the City. Staff is
excited to have a piece of the City's collection be a part of this historic research milestone, and
we are currently working with the State Division of Historical Resources to make these samples
available for the project.
City Unveils 50th Anniversary Teaser: #Summer0)Space: Cape Canaveral has been the gateway
to worlds beyond our own for more than half a century. And now, as the world prepares to
celebrate the 501h anniversary of mankind's first steps on the moon, the City of Cape Canaveral
celebrates 50 years of the world knowing its name. Prior to the 1960s, this small coastal
community was virtually unknown to all but locals, fishermen and the army of aerospace
workers that were busy putting the"space" in "Space Coast." So not surprisingly, the City of
Cape Canaveral is taking this anniversary seriously - and because the legacy of man's first steps
on the Moon cannot be summed up in a single day's parade, the City has decided to celebrate
this anniversary with a series of public art projects, Community events, youth activities and
more, all counting down to that memorable morning in July.
Stay tuned to the City's website and official social media pages for updates and join us as we
celebrate our Community's unique vantage point in mankind's journey to the moon. Learn more
at www.cilyofcnecanaveral.org/sl2ace.
Calling all Artists!
� Like many municipalities, the City of Cape Canaveral is
looking to revamp the drab and defaced traffic control
cabinets along its major thoroughfares. To help with this,
the City has issued a Call for Artists, inviting artists to
submit designs that will be utilized to wrap the cabinets at
selected intersections throughout the City. Many of which
are located at highly visible corners along North Atlantic
Avenue and SR AIA.
To make this public art project uniquely Cape Canaveral, it
is part of the#SummerOfSpace celebration,
commemorating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing
- a noteworthy historical event with indubitable ties to the
City. Submitted designs must reflect Cape Canaveral's role in the history of space exploration
and the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. This competition is open to artists of all ages and
no residency restrictions apply. The deadline for submissions will be Monday, January 28, 2019.
Visit www.cilyofcnecanaveral.org/sl2ace for info.
Cape Canaveral's Call for Poets a First for Brevard.-
The
revard:The author appointed to this post will serve as an
ambassador of the community's cultural interests, i
promote the value of the written word and help
celebrate the City's literary community. This is an
honorary position that will be awarded to a person
who has established a presence in the world of poetry,
demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry
and embraces the opportunity to engage the
community through poetry.
For consideration, applicants had to be apoet and CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
current resident of Cape Canaveral and available to
collaborate with other local poets and artists to develop poetry-related activities addressing the
objectives of the program. Upon appointment, the Poet Laureate must be willing and able to
participate in City events, mentor a junior Poet Laureate and develop at least one educational
outreach initiative each year of their term. The Poet Laureate shall be appointed to serve a three-
year term, beginning April 1, 2019 and ending March 31, 2022. This is neither a paid nor
political position, and the City of Cape Canaveral will be the first Brevard municipality to create
this honorary post.
Culture & Leisure
Services
Menno
TO: Culture&Leisure Services Advisory Board
VIA: Gustavo Vergara,Culture&Leisure Services Director
FROM: Molly A. Thomas, Cultural Programs Manager
DATE: January 24,2019
RE: Poet Laureate Recommendation
Last year,the City of Cape Canaveral issued a Call for Poets,requesting applications
from those wishing to become the City's first Poet Laureate. To be considered for this
appointment, applicants had to be a poet and current resident of Cape Canaveral,
available and willing to collaborate with other local poets and artists to develop poetry-
related activities that address the objectives outlined in the enclosed program overview.
Three applications were received for this position,with only two of them belonging to
Cape Canaveral residents.
A committee was assembled to review the eligible submissions,and was comprised of
two residents and two Staff members possessing backgrounds in literature,
communications, linguistics, journalism and education. The applications were
compared via a blind selection process in which the authors' identities were unknown
to the members of the selection committee.The candidates' submissions were critiqued
on the quality of the poetry,engagement in past projects,and their strategies to facilitate
community appreciation for the written word.
The original program description called for the top candidates to be interviewed by the
Culture & Leisure Services advisory board, but because only one of the two eligible
applicants submitted responses that aligned with the education based objectives of the
program,the committee settled on a single finalist.
With that, I ask that you approve the Committee's selection, thereby recommending
that City Council award the appointment of Poet Laureate to Mr. Timothy Bass.
Encs.
(1) Poet Laureate Program Overview
(2) Candidate application packet
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
POET LAUREATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Instituting a Poet Laureate Program in Cape Canaveral embodies the City's Vision by supporting
and promoting culture and education within the community. The Poet Laureate for the City of
Cape Canaveral will serve as an ambassador of the community's cultural interests, promote the
value of the written word and help celebrate the City's literary community. An increasing number
of Poet Laureate programs have been successfully implemented in communities across the U.S.,
and throughout history, poet laureates have been appointed by governments of all sizes. The City
of Cape Canaveral is currently seeking nominations for the 2019-2022 appointment term
scheduled to begin on April 1, 2019, coinciding with the start of National Poetry Month.
Program Objectives
• Enhance the presence of literary arts in Cape Canaveral.
• Encourage the reading and writing of literature and poetry.
• Raise awareness of the power of poetry and the spoken word.
• Provide a forum for arts collaboration.
• Promote poetry as an inclusive form of literature, bridging cultural and generational divides.
• Promote the City's visioning and cultural identity.
Eligibility
For consideration, an applicant must be a poet and current resident of Cape Canaveral, available
and willing to collaborate with other local poets and artists to develop poetry-related activities that
address the objectives of the program. Poetry produced for this program must be written and/or
translated into English. The Poet Laureate must be capable of and willing to fulfill all duties
associated with the position to include: attend meetings and make public appearances, as needed,
in accordance to expectations developed in this document. Additionally, due to the Poet Laureate's
engagement with protected vulnerable populations, nominees will be required to undergo a DCF
Level II background screening,payable by the City.
Description of Position
This is an honorary position awarded to a person who has established a presence in the world of
poetry, demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry and embraces the opportunity to
engage the community through poetry. This is not a political appointment, nor is it a paid
position.
The duties of the Poet Laureate shall include:
L Ceremonial: As a public voice and representative of our community, the Poet Laureate will
appear at public events as recommended by Staff, City Council or community groups. It is
preferable that poems presented at events be original and tailored to the occasion. If this is not
possible, appropriate past work is acceptable. Upon appointment, the Poet Laureate will
collaborate with the Cultural Programs Manager in order to determine a schedule of events he or
she will attend.
11. Educational: The first year of the Poet Laureate's term, they will be expected to select and
mentor a junior poet laurate from a local elementary, middle or high school. The Poet Laureate
must also propose and execute at least one educational outreach initiative each year of their term.
Activities planned by the Poet Laureate in an official capacity shall be free and open to the public.
Examples of such initiatives include:
• Curate a series of poetry readings with unique subject matter, themes or venues.
• Host and/or coordinate creative writing workshops within the community.
• Collaborate with existing groups or organizations to further the public's appreciation for
and interaction with poetry and the written word.
• Work with schools and library to develop public poetry projects/activities.
• Develop a collaborative activity/event that mingles poetry with science or other artistic
genres.
Terms of Service
The Poet Laureate shall be appointed to serve one(1)three-year term,beginning April 1, 2019 and
ending March 31, 2022. If an appointee is unable to fulfill their term due to illness, relocation or
an inability to perform the required duties, Staff may fill the vacancy by considering previously
submitted and qualified applicants and/or commence the selection process anew. In such instances,
the "replacement"Poet Laureate will complete the term of the exiting appointee. An interim Poet
Laureate may apply for the next complete term. The Poet Laureate shall serve at the will of the
Culture and Leisure Services Advisory Board and may be removed at any time with or without
cause.
Poet Laureates may not serve more than two full consecutive terms. Previous Poet Laureates shall
be eligible to serve a future term provided a minimum one-year hiatus is taken.
The Poet Laureate is prohibited from soliciting or accepting monetary donations/gifts or pursuing
grants intended to provide financial assistance to the Poet Laureate program without prior written
approval from the City Manager.
Application Process
An applicant for Poet Laureate may be self-nominated or nominated by a community member and
shall submit a complete application packet to include:
• A one-page statement describing qualifications for the appointment to include publications,
teaching experience, and literary arts community involvement; an outline of any plans for
the role and how the poet will make a difference in the community.
• Three to five original poems written by the applicant. The applicant is asked to provide
English translations for submissions composed in another language.
• Applicant's full name, address, email address and telephone number on a cover page.
DO NOT include the applicant's name or any identifying information in the statement or on
the poem pages submitted. All judging will be through a blind submission process.
Email (preferred), mail or deliver to:
EMAIL: m thomasL&citeoy fcapecanaveral.org
MAIL or DELIVER: City of Cape Canaveral
ATTN: Cultural Programs Manager
100 Polk Avenue
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM January 11, 2019.
Selection Process
The Poet Selection Committee (PSC)will judge all work submitted through a blind consideration
of the poetry and the nomination letter. Points to be considered may include:
• Quality of the poetry.
• Engagement in past projects that involve poetry and prose.
• Other experiences related to the tradition of poetry.
The Committee will invite the top finalists to take part in a face-to-face interview before the
Culture and Leisure Services Advisory Board, where they will be asked to read/perform one or
more of their original works. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Ability to effectively inspire and engage others.
• Presentation of strategies intended to facilitate community appreciation for the value of the
written word and help celebrate the City's literary culture.
Selected nominee will be submitted to City Council who will confirm the appointment at City
Council Meeting on March 19, 2019.
Selection Process Schedule 2019—All dates subject to change.
December 10, 2018: Call for nominations
January 11: Applications due
January 14-18: Review and finalists selected by PSC
January 22: Finalists notified and invited to interview
January 31: Finalists interviewed before Culture and Leisure Services Advisory Board
February 8: Poet Laureate notified of selection
Feb. 19 (Mar. 19 if nominee unavailable in Feb): Nomination confirmed at City Council Meeting
COVERPAGE
Name: Tim Bass
Mailing Address: 248 Coral Dr.
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Email: spacelawtim@gmaii.com
Phone: 321-607-1603
Language is capable of creating bridges that open doors to diverse ideas. People wield
language to inform, instruct, persuade, entertain, and enable. Friedrich Nietzsche famously
wrote "[t]houghts are the shadows of our feelings—always darker, emptier, and simpler." As
language allows us all to communicate our thoughts, poetry empowers the writer to proactively
interact with feelings and express them effectively. Thus, a poet strives to understand a feeling
to enlighten it, develop it, and understand its complexities, artfully coalescing thoughts and
feelings in a noble, meaningful, and beautiful way. Whether a poet is writing as a form of
emotional catharsis or to share a story, to express an ideal or satirize, the poet continuously
strives to tacitly transform the abstract into the concrete. A poet's work can be silly and flimsy,
artsy and astute, or simple and direct, but always valuable. The poet finds a way to weave
words exposing the synergy of language to the perceptive as more than the individual words on
a page. The poet forms a unique land and invites the willing to dessert themselves there for a
moment, to share in the present. If appointed Cape Canaveral's Poet Laureate, I would
endeavor to promote artful use of language to all citizens; to enrich Cape Canaveral's
engagement through literary pursuits; and to promote the City's mission, vision, and culture.
From an early age, I loved listening to stories my father and grandfather told. That soon grew
into a passion for reading and creative writing. In high school, I wrote for the school
newspaper, received awards for extemporaneous speaking, and continued to compose poetry
and prose. I began learning to play instruments, and furthered this love of language into
songwriting. I was co-founder and president of my University's inaugural Writers' Guild, where
members would present writings and receive constructive feedback. The Writers' Guild also set
up public performances and independent publications (both digital and through the school's
newspaper). I became a substitute teacher for grades 1-12 prior to obtaining an advanced
degree. I am also an adjunct professor at a University. Currently, prudent utilization of
language is critical to my primary career, where it is imperative to clearly and concisely
communicate with colleagues and counterparts on a variety of issues. An axiom hangs over my
head like the Sword of Damocles in my career: "Words Matter". I have self-published many of
my creative writings. I was an editor for a text book and presented and published scholarly
works.
As an active member of the community, I frequently volunteer. I assisted in painting the rain
barrels at the community garden, helped with Trunk-or-Treat and the Haunted Library, donated
school supplies to Cape View Elementary, participated in debris clean-up after the hurricanes,
planted sea-oats, and serve on an advisory board. It is an honor to contribute, through writing
or otherwise, to the preservation of this town's fascinating past, building its powerful present,
and promoting its exciting future.
As Poet Laureate, it would be my goal to find ways to engender public participation and
appreciation in the arts. I will work with the City, library, and school to provide opportunities to
learn, create, and share community literary creations. As a proud citizen of Cape Canaveral, I
would always hold our City highly and present it in a light most favorable to our community. I
would strive to promote the connected diversity of our community, and bring together the
artistic talents of the citizenry to continuously learn, grow, and strengthen the fabric of our
hometown's unique identity as an asset to the Space Coast.
Canaveralean Pseudo-Sonnet
In the space between the Sun, Space, and Sea
Amidst the spectral mist above the beach
Somewhere between the universe and me
Lies the peaceful hopeful realm we beseech
Finding comfort beneath the sun-kissed cloud
Spoonbill, ibis, and skimmer dance and play
Turtle tracks from sea oats where eggs now lay
Nature's song enhanced, children laughing loud
Familiar lands and friendly faces smile
Bike paths hear clearly the beach's mild hum
In parks, her charms majestic do beguile
She invites all, sounding her quirky drum
In the space between the Sun, Space, and Sea
A unique home waits for you tranquilly
From the Crossover and Boardwalk, Smiling
A skein of sea grapes in the hammock
Forms a welcoming arch
Live oaks create a carpet of acorns
And pollen settles on the path
Unfolding flawlessly into the dune
Where glory vines unfurl their first
Violet flowers of the season
Mason bees swarm the palmettos
And blooming palm trees in the breeze
Manatees curiously nudge the canoe
As a kayak frames the fiery sunset
Hoping to capture a serene still
To spread the story of life here
Watch as the dimming light fills
The onlookers' eyes with wonder
For a future yet to come
For a future created by the community
A garden grows, glowing as a bright reminder
Of accomplishments only achieved together
A quick stop, providing nourishment and love before
Beginning a new day on the horizon
Where the sun spritzed dawn seems a given
And all will rise tomorrow
With glints in their eyes
Doing what they are able
To make a little difference each day
A Past Reflected in Our Souls
As Starry Night swirled in the ocean that day The Freemen came to build homes
We passed the afternoon playing in the waves Later, rock shrimp filled all the boats
Emerge with darkened skin, resting near the dune grass Fishermen flocked to the port in droves
Drying with the cool wind and warm rays Seashells dreamt of being born jetty stones
Harvard hunters soon came and then went
Between the shoreline and the chaparral As reporters from the city settled in
The brackened border of sea weed Captain Burnham's light flashed across the Eastern sky
Trodden by the gamboling images of Ais Journalista failed and Avon By the Sea shines
Waving welcoming sharpened swamp reed A tycoon built on news, a harbinger of port
We adopt their namesakes, anglicized And Eberwein's peafowl plumage fanned the town
What we don't erase, we steal As the squelching screeching showcased silence of a sort
We adopt their skills, survival prized The water loved lapping the shoreline down
All but the memories, we kill
We honor them unknowingly with long hair and tattoos Subsonics shook the station to the north
Most abundant during the breaks from schools Gravity no longer maintains its ceaseless hold
Exploration begins here and we sally forth
Spanish ships approaching from the East Beyond frigid wars to watch the galaxy unfold
On shore, its sailors see the living cane plantation With the wonder of an abecedarian
After many trials, cultures befriended We watch as launches still carry on
Even though the Ais rejected Catholic salvation
Still, we can sleep soundly on these souls For a while,the President's name on the post
Because neither today here remain But that lacked agreement from the hospitable hosts
At least not in the flesh-formed whole The canopy of high-rises hides the hopeful sky
Through their efforts, no lasting gain Watching Port's ignorant, ill-planned over-industrialization
The sought-after fountain hid in plain sight We continue to strive, more than a drive
In the air, water, land, and light To survive,we relentlessly thrive
Build on solid rock, we have all heard this cry
But this sand offers the best true foundation
Come now, all shepherdless Iambs
With bated breath,we wait on knees and hands
Leave your footprints on the sand
Strand yourself on this adoring land
Fractured centuries leading to now
Our trestle's large enough for a crowd
A populace, peculiar and proud
1 2
The Cape View Playground
I saw the spaceships streak through the sky
Contrail streamers prismatic to the eyes
From the Cape View playground
I saw myself as an astronaut
Or building the next-gen roving robot
From the Cape View playground
Pretend soldiers and wrestling matches
Firemen's hose and officer badges
On the Cape View playground
Used my hand to draw some peacocks
Made friends in many swing set frolics
On the Cape View playground
I heard the ocean's diapasonal roar
Through the palms I spotted the shore
From the Cape View playground
Smell the food trucks, hear the folks
Dancing through the market on Polk
From the Cape View playground
Spot the Station and satellites
And constellations scattered in stars at night
On the Cape View playground
We watched the anoles, racers, and frogs
And busy ant hills in the morning fog
On the Cape View playground
Years from now, older, I will return
With meandering memories of lessons learned
From the Cape View playground
May the tide flow and sun show on these youth
And their fervent faith in the diversity of truth
From the Cape View playgound
Missing the Cape
(Springtime in DC)
Fighting the crowds, suits like shrouds
Wandering down 14th
I got my name on a cubical
While you're writing ours on the beach
The Potomac flows to the Atlantic
So my thoughts float to your reach
Sometimes, I swear, this salty air
Is all I need to breath
I wish I had my feet in high tide
And that I was there with you
The snow don't feel like sand on my toes
And there's far too much to do < CHORUS>
Please send me a postcard
Dabbed with your perfume
Tonight at 9:00, we'll look at the sky
And share the same bright moon
It's your smile and relaxed style
That makes the Capital lowercase
It's your small-town home, and how you're grown
That puts that color in your face
It's easy to wish, and hard to resist
Like the lighthouse from the Cape
With folks all around, faces to the ground
This lonesome finds its place
<Repeat Chorus>
Cherry blossoms, I'd toss 'ern all in the reflection pool
Museums, I've seen 'em, they can't hold a candle to you <BRIDGE>
I'm writing this letter because I was better off down there
Got a one-way ticket on the song of a cricket and it's carrying me through the air
<Repeat Chorus>
So, please send me a postcard dabbed with your perfume