of Portola Valley Ranch
Reflections of Coal Mine Ridge
Jane's Retreat by Beth Quinn
Beth Quinn
Photo taken in 1981
Beth Quinn (now Bethica) wrote these poems in 1981 when she was living in Portola Valley Ranch. She had just finished fourth grade where she studied poetry with Robin Toews. Inspired by Robin and by her surroundings, she wrote these poems while sitting in "Jane's Retreat", a spot once marked by a bench dedicated to Jane Ames set above Lower Toyon Trail. (The bench has since been removed.) Bethica now lives in San Francisco with her wife and two teen-aged daughters and is the director/head teacher at Centro Las Olas preschool.
Jane's Retreat
I.
green
from the sunny new growth
shining
to the somber old leaf
dignified
fills the valley
regal bays with
majestically sweeping trunks
stand on one side
jocund oaks with
crazily twisting limbs
jostle on the other
between
vibrant ferns
and fresh mint
abound
every crevice of the valley
is bursting with green,
hastening
to show its spring colors
birds proclaim their presence
from hidden perches
in the living valley
singing from bay and oak alike
no flowers have yet opened
save one dainty white iris
determined
to be the first
the valley
is as full of peace
as it is of green
II.
wind
stirs the upper branches only
of the great trees
they sway gently, lazily,
keeping time to the bird’s music.
straight bays
and twisted oaks
make a strong framework
to hold up the sky
protecting those below:
the ferns and mints whom they will never meet,
and the young trees who will someday
take over their task.
it is cool in the valley
and still – even the fragile light dancing flybys
can hold their own in the still air
the sun picks out a leaf here and there
in a green-gold bright, light without warmth
no intruder here
but one playful breeze
who has broken the barrier
of the upper leaves
to tease the lower ones.