Editor’s note: These haiku were written by Susan Whalen and illustrated with photos from the adventures of the Tsunami Rangers. Susan is the wife of TR Dave Whalen, and has had her share of extreme sea kayaking experiences thanks to her involvement with the team.
Race day. The sea speaks.
“Breakers” roll and whisper:
Boats or bodies first?
Fierce seas; my heart lifts.
Doubts fade; amidst his wrath comes
Neptune’s healing touch.
Who broke my fine boat?
A death penalty offense!
A sea story born.
“Beach camps not allowed.”
So the ranger says, but he
Has to find us first.
An Eskimo roll.
Salty water on my lips.
An Eskimo kiss?
The wave rises, but
My boat soars up and through like
A bright leaping fish.
Kayak gear: stout heart
Brave boat, tall rocks, breaking waves.
My roll of duct tape.
A loud gong sounds, the
Flaming arrow lifts skyward.
This year’s race begins!
A fin near my boat!
I was not scared, but water
In my suit got warm.
The wind in my face
As, heart leaping, I thrust my
Bow through the wild surf.
First ebb, then slack. The
Tides beat a slow pulse on the
Clean sand. My mind stills.
Mavericks wave smacks my
Boat. Last thought: why did I think
I could kayak here?
The paddle lifts. A
Drop of water flashes like
A diamond on fire.
Dressed in rags around
A campfire. Can these bums be
Tsunami Rangers?
At first, a smooth ride.
Suddenly, surfing upside
Down. Mistakes were made.
Wild ocean riders.
They all must have a death wish.
Why else take such risks?
Got poetry? Want to try your hand at haiku about extreme sea kayaking, or any kind of kayaking? Share with us by clicking and commenting below!
Great post, both the poetry and the photos!!!
Thanks, Tony! It was super fun to put this one together. I credit TR Steve King for bringing these haiku to my attention. I had no idea they existed. FYI here is a link to a post we did back in 2012 on sea poetry. We’re romantic! https://tsunamirangers.com/2012/08/06/sea-kayakers-sea-poetry/
Glad you enjoyed the post!
Hey Nancy,
Wonderful post, so pleased to see Susan Whalen’s Haiku come to life with such great images. A classic post really in my view, art, waves, rangers, sea, much inspiration here!
Thank you as well for not identifying the person upside down in a wave, but I will confess it was me. Took a few nice rides this weekend at Mushroom rock and did re-create that moment a few times on a beautiful Monday afternoon!
Mil gracias again for pulling those elements together! More images and poetry to be generated soon I am sure.
El Rey
Hey El Rey,
Well, I wasn’t going to let the cat out of the bag but since you’re a good sport…and it was the perfectly appropriate photo to illustrate the poem! Thank you so much for offering Susan’s haiku for the blog. It’s been a long time since we did any sea poetry so it was good timing. Love ya, man!
Your Haiku poems inspired me to put in syllables an indelible image from Moss Beach I’ve carried in me for decades.
Tsunami Rangers
Sway with seals in the fierce sea
And where did I go?
Wow, great poem, Michael! Very evocative. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! Did you ever go out with the Rangers?
Hi Nancy,
Only once at Moss Beach, the day of the memory. It was really just a paddle around on the beach side of the breakers. Eric and I met in Wyoming at the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation. We lost touch. My memories are strong of Eric and the Rangers who came to his place at Moss Beach. He was such a dynamo and fun to be around. You and I communicated a bit a few years ago and you sent me Eric’s book, Confessions of a Wave Warrior. I loved it. Felt good to feel his energy through his words. I hope you have been well. If I can get to the West Coast this summer I’d love to say hello to you in person. I miss it!
Michael
Hi Michael,
Glad you enjoyed the book. It is a fun read. Things have been up and down for me since Eric died but overall I’m good. Interesting times. It would be great to meet you in person. If you come this way (I’m in Ashland, OR) hit me up. My email is bmcsfp@hotmail.com And thanks again for your comment!
Nancy, I am happy to hear that overall you feel good. What a blow you have sustained. I am sure the TR tribe has helped keep you afloat. I put your email in my contacts and will definitely make contact whenever it is I can get up your way. All the best to you.
Michael
Old…64
Military Reconnaissance Para
With a little Kayak experience…( U.S Army…WIC…Waterborne Infiltration Course)
Wanting to learn more…much More
Planning a life time Journey
Wanting some REAL Kayak instruction
Dude, we’re mostly all in our 60’s. We just completed a circumnavigation of Isla Carmen in the Sea of Cortez (blog post to come if you’re interested) and our oldest member, Michael Powers, is 79 years young. He did amazingly well and was an inspiration to us all. Find a teacher, get on the water, and do it!