Ode to the Lighthouse

In recognition of National Lighthouse Day I am devoting today’s blog to lighthouses.

Oh lantern in the sky,

Nary to let a vessel wander by

Where ancient schooners and freighters lie,

Pummeled to death on the rocky shoals

Now the unwavering light alerts sailors of deadly knolls.

Since August 7, 1789, support of our nation

For American lighthouses, buoys, and beacons;

The light keepers’ job was somewhat like a deacon--

Working endless hours to keep them from falling into disrepair.

Protecting their towers and lenses hanging high in midair.

Lighthouses are marvels of engineering wonder

Protection from storms of wind, ice, and thunder

The Fresnel lens keeps sailors from falling asunder.

The lighting conductors before automation used oil

Lighting the wick, solitary, up and down the staircase they toiled.

An Ancient Wonder of the World was the Alexandria Lighthouse.

Over 400 feet of solid limestone was this tall white house;

To guide sailors into port at Pharos Egypt was its purpose.

Standing for nearly two thousand years against all odds

Earthquakes were the end of the tower enscribed “Savior Gods.”

Many different materials have been used to build these towers:

Stone, iron, plate glass, clapboards—all devouring hours and hours,

Even dozens of years were sometimes needed

Before the builders and engineers succeeded,

And quite often the budgets were immensely exceeded.

Destroyed by wars, erosion, wind, and quake,

Lighthouses have often fallen to ruin and needed a remake.

With great effort and expense some have been moved from harm’s way

Cape Hatteras and Block Island were relocated to keep them from decay.

The former moved inland inch by inch a third of a mile, standing yet today.

Dismal weather conditions of rain and fog

Are often written in the light keepers and ship captain’s log.

To ships and sailors lost in the mist while seaborne

They long to hear the deep haunting tone of the foghorn.

It’s a blessing for the soul; safety is near—all is not forlorn.

Individualism is quite apparent

Lighthouses are white, red, blue, but never transparent.

Stripes of red or black, repeating all around or like a candy cane.

The light pattern too is one-of-a-kind,

The rhythm of the signal length is what communicates to mankind.

To end my ode to the lighthouse I simply recite a few that all should see.

Pacific coast lighthouses Haceta Head, Alcatraz Island, Cape Flattery, and Point Battery.

Nova Scotia is known for Peggy’s Cove, Yarmouth, Halifax, and Point Prim at Digby.

Wonders of Michigan:  Old Presque Isle, Round Island, Big Sable Point, and St. Joseph Pier.

In the State of Maine: Cape Neddick, Portland Head, and both East and West Quoddy Head.

I’ve been to all of these and more

Lighthouses are one of my passions—I don’t keep a score

Of the number I’ve climbed or photographed

I dare say you’d call me a nut or at least laugh

If you knew the number exceeds more than a hundred and a half.

Go, just go—now is the time, lighthouses are becoming a thing of the past.

The spirit of lighthouses has changed because of automation and alas,

Takeover by the Coast Guard has nearly extinguished their haunting spirit.

GPS, depth finders, and other new navigational aids replace their validity.

Don’t miss out; one day they may all simply be a bulb on a post, not much to see.