WILLAMETTE RIVER ART

Recently, a Bostonian named Steve Hendrickson visited Portland and took a walk to Poet’s Beach. He was so inspired by the poems written by children that are engraved in stones there that he wrote a short essay and then recorded a music video of one of the poems (by Jordan, 4^th grader).

Here’s the essay he wrote followed by Jordan’s poem and the music video Steve created.

I HEARD A VOICE CALLING

By Steve Hendrickson  Boston, MA

This morning after awakening in Portland, I had an unusual compulsion to go for a walk. Mind you, most mornings I wake up to puppy licks and whines, and a strong desire for coffee.

However, this morning, it was like a voice calling me to take a walk, which, candidly, I seldom do in a strange city. My hotel was close to the Willamette River, so I turned toward the river.

There was a bridge in the distance that resembles the bridge built in Boston for "The Big Dig" that took the "Central Artery" underground through downtown Boston. So I walked that way, wanting to take a picture, and wondering "which came first," they look so similar.

Then I noticed this little sign, "Poet's Beach." Who's ever heard of such?

Poet's Beach is a walkway lined by stones, where children's poems have been stenciled/painted on the rocks as you walk down to the beach. Expecting some simplistic, even cheesy kid's poetry, I was pleased, and then amazed, and then deeply moved.

I have heard thousands of sermons, many of them poignant, inspirational and moving, in my life. But here, I experienced "the love of the Universe" (some call it "God," others "Shalom," others "transcendence") through the simple, yet profound, poetry of children.

I am filled with gratitude for the voice that called me, and aware that my life today would be less filled with wonder and awe if I had not listened to that voice.

My prayer for all of you today is that you may experience the call of a voice that touches you, as it did me, today, or any day.