Washington's Rattlesnake Mountain: "The way it was"

“Out in the area.” Actually, Hanford was one huge site, and “Out in the area” was just what they called East Area, West Area, and all the reactor sites along the Columbia River, which made the site about 34 miles by 34 miles.  They also had barricades at both ends of the “Outer Area site to keep unauthorized civilians out. I worked as a patrolman, enforcing the rules, checking cars, and checking the different classified sites in the “Outer area.”

I worked at the Yakima Barricade. This barricade checked cars coming into Hanford from cities down the Yakima Valley, such as Yakima, Washington.

One evening, I was feeling pretty down and just staring out into space, as things were very slow. I started looking at things around me and wrote this. Truly, I always tended to write when depressed; it was like taking Wellbutrin in these modern days.

So , this is what I wrote:

                                           The Way It Was

The updrafts lifted the lone seagull high.

A sparrow hawk, small and swift, flitted past.

The sun suddenly shone out of the billowing clouds.

a temperature so mild it caressed the skin.

A silence that only nature can produce.

Tranquil and calming.

In the outpost was a hum of modern conveyance,

a crackle of static, and the human attempt in

magic airwaves.

The steads of steel rumbled past, stopping

momentarily for man’s more than earned mistrust of

man.

The sun again lost its hold.

Two old ravens drifted by, using wind currents

and a little bit of wing power.

The old, shaggy ravens landed on a rusty

dumpster, checking for dinner.

Immediately, they attracted the attention

of diving raven-attacking starlings.

The ravens challenged with a loud caw!..as

small attacking jets swooped to inflict damage.

To the east, the “White Bluffs” overlooking the mighty

Columbia turned bright with the setting sun.

Way to the West, “Rattlesnake” stands largest of

all the Columbia Basin mountains. Turning a glowering

Dark mood.

Off to the North rises a pure basalt outcropping.

For a thousand years this silent sentinel represented fertility

to the American Natives.

Much further to the North the “Saddle mountains” guarded

ancient, petrified remains.

Off to the South, jutting up in man’s proud triumph

Is the Fast Flux Test Reactor.

Far overhead soars an eagle, brushing against the deep

blue sky and white billowing clouds.

The sky is turning a rare turquoise blue as the shifting

light paints on Gods giant canvas.

The canvas turns deep red to the Northwest.

The sparrow hawks cry as the last light fades.

An air monitor for radiation drones in the quiet

evening still.

The reactors in the distance cast an ominous sense of dread

In relation to the silent calm of nature.

Ric writer for site