Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain

Incredibly, we know where
Sunlight strikes the continental United States
First.

From March to October 6, northern Maine sees these rays,
But from October 7 to March,
The highest mountain on the North Atlantic seaboard—
Though, at 1530 feet, no more than a hill to those from the
Blue Ridge, let alone the Rockies—
For these months, the sunlight hits
Cadillac Mountain
First.

We got up early October 7, the intrepid nine, ready to see
The first light to fall on our nation.
And though we watched the sky lightening in the east
Before we left our driveway,
And though the sky was a pastel pink as we turned
Away from the coast,
By the time we reached the summit,
And felt the biting wind,
We had no regret that we were not earlier,
Hoping only to survive the next half hour or so.

It was beautiful.
Bar Island below.
And the Porcupine Islands,
Sheep, Burnt, Long, Bald.
The lighthouse at Egg Rock, flashing red.
The small smuggler’s island, now flush with seaglass.
All these spots on Frenchman Bay we now knew and loved,
As we looked out toward the cold waters of the Bay of Maine.

And the grey faded and the pink intensified.
The imperceptible horizon became clear
As the brightening gradually focused.

The rays of the sun lit the clouds above,
And still the sky brightened,
The colors intensified, until

Suddenly

What was simply bright transitioned
To a line of sun,
And the line rapidly thickened.