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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


POINT LOMA SONNETS: 10. CABRILLO by WINIFRED DAVIDSON

First Line: UNBROKEN STILLNESS WHERE OUR CANYONS WIND
Last Line: VICTORIA AND HIGH SAN SALVADOR.
Subject(s): CABRILLO, JUAN RODRIGUEZ (D. 1543); POINT LOMA, CALIFORNIA;

Unbroken stillness where our canyons wind --
Before vast Spanish herds came here to browse;
Before these hills made wander-ways for cows --
A breathlessness; while putting Time behind.

Throughout that long old waiting and a kind
Of awful spell among the rigid boughs
Where ancient oaks from dreams could not arouse,
Our Loma lay unnamed. Years, years declined.

Who heard the ringing of Cabrillo's bells
Where naught but lonely breezes breathed before?
Who saw the magic lifting, quickened swells?
Three frightened wild men leaped along this shore --
The first to greet those stately caravels,
@3Victoria@1 and high @3San Salvador@1.



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