Here’s the poem: (originally published in the Bellingham Review: http://www.wwu.edu/bhreview/i61-austen.shtml)

Where Currents Meet

Cattle Point, San Juan Island

See? Even at slack water a churn
of contradictions. Stay back, instinct
instructs. But from here, more beauty than danger.
Water is its own gravity, light
itself a lure. Lean in to the patterned
motion, ripples to the north, standing waves
to the south, the steady shove—
toward what? Chaos that comforts? Nothing here
is expected to make sense—contrary
intentions, even the charts
predict this. An improvisation
under the surface, revealed
by the interplay of light: water
with texture. Whatever invites attention
prayer enough for now. You could wait your whole
life for sense to take shape. Does it matter,
from here, whether those are seals or
bull kelp? Keep looking.

None of the poets are receiving any payment for the use of the poems, so I’m hoping you’ll be willing to allow us to use your photo free of charge as well.

Thank you for considering this request, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Elizabeth Austen