Part 11 | The Sea Lion

Southbound.  Far reaches of county’s edge
Country’s largest port.  Maritime megahub
Ships of commerce.  Ships of sport.  Ships of naval pursuit
Of all vessels harbored in Long Beach
One remains unique.  No longer sailing open seas
A venue.  Entertainment
Staterooms.  Turned hotel rooms
By some accounts.  She’s haunted
The Queen Mary

Walking.  Along water’s edge
Jagged rock.  Meeting stillness of glass water
Floating.  Caught in cavernous coast
Bottles.  Rubbish.  Plague the stone wall
I grab a nearby net.  Skimming the surface
Walking the length of the shore  Removing excess trash
Suddenly.  Surface bubbles
Brown nose.  Whiskers.  Break from below
Wet.  Slippery.  Curious
Head pops out of the water
The Sea Lion

He Speaks

“Well Done.  You’ve cleaned my precious waters
In return.  I graciously grant you permission to venture on from these lands
There is but one totem left for you to find
My sister.  In the north
Hollywood and Vine.  You’ll find
A circular office building.  The first of its kind
A musical stronghold
Go now.  Follow her song.  Seek out
The Sparrow”