Stumptown Girl

"Idon't think I would live outside of the Northwest. I think the qualityof life in Portland is really good. People move from intense,high-powered jobs, and move to Portland, work half as much and livetwice as good." ~ Carrie Brownstein

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I’mback in PDX for a week, partly for pleasure, partly for work, all forfun ... and we are running-gunning, catching up with friends, enjoyingamazing food in chummy pubs and watching the sunlight drip down on usthrough humidity-free air. Later, we’ll head to Tabor for a slow amble and watch that same honeyed-sun dip below the Tualatins,but for now I sit in my friend’s guest room, and consider thepossibilities, and count my lucky moments.

Here’sa local girl’s poem, offered in a Powell’s Bookstore contest a fewyears ago. I like it, so I share it with you. There were other lovelytastes at this link: http://www.powells.com/poetrycontest/winners.html

Portland taught her to hold her breath. I think Portland actually taught me how to breathe.

Hold Your Breath

by Bethany Sample

Come, water,

to a city of florid ladies;

Show me

a blue ceiling reflected

in glossy puddles

where upturned faces float

next to boats shaped like shoes.

Sailing away, without her umbrella,

a lost girl watches

the rain fall

thousands of miles away

and thinks only of this:

a drop,

drinkable but elusive,

at night splashing the streets

with neon rivers.

Remember this, when you are cold and wet;

Portlandia taught you

how to hold your breath.