“Don’t lend your hand to raise no flag
Atop no ship of fools”
Ship of Fools – Grateful Dead (Hunter/Garcia) 1974
I grew up in Southern California in the 80’s-90’s. Back then, my mom’s father, Jack Barney Wyman, was a photographer for the Daily Breeze newspaper. He used to take me to the docks and we would visit the boats he had privileges on – he’d been a Merchant Marine during World War II.
My favorite boat to visit was the famous Queen Mary – probably because she had all the ghost stories that made her more eerie than the rest. Grandpa used to photograph ships, too. My mom sent me a few of those pictures after he passed away in 2020, along with a few other bizarre shots I will post another day.
I am so grateful he did not live to see his beloved southern California waterway destroyed. Love you, Grandpa. Rest in peace.
"Oil Spill" by Heather Defresne Drenched in darkness Cloaked in pain I will never visit these waters again Leaving the Pacific A memory in time Floating inside the back of my mind Poisoned with oil Destruction left only If I went back, would the ocean even know me? The Devil plays hard He doesn’t give a fuck Hoping we will continue to gamble our luck That Gaia will Heal And recover once more Instead of giving up and shutting the door On humanity, on us On creatures, on life Replacing the rain with fires and strife Or flooding the lands With more than we need It keeps the grass green, but drowns out the seed Our cup runneth over Yet, we take and we take Never returning the love, for Mother Earth’s sake! I’ve forgotten my promise To clean up the trash My neighbors leave behind in the cache I’ll renew this vow, now To do my fair part No matter how small, at least it’s a start.
Much love,
Heather XO
Esoteric Dreamers 