(Editor’s note: The Herald received word last week from Poet Laureate Johanna Ely that Frances Jackson died June 14 after a period of illness. Jackson was a long-time member of the Benicia First Tuesday Poetry Group and won the Benicia Love Poetry Contest in 2015. Details on her memorial are still being worked out, but fellow poets and friends are asked to send poems and remembrances to Peter Bray at petrbray@aol.com for a memorial page. In the meantime, the Herald is reposting Jackson’s tribute to Benicia that was published last summer.)

Saline waters of the Bay recede
when Benicia
sends her tides to sea with mountain water
in their sweetened waves to bless the iron ships that pass.

Benicia dips her flowered hair
to scent the breeze
that wafts our wetland birds between the fingers
of her hands, back to
their huddled nests again.
She walks the streets
of her estate
and from the Clocktower’s peak
observes, landscape pressed
from fertile ground
sprouting gardens of delight.
Her laughter echoes
steeple bells
it paints the hills in colored tones.
Reflecting rays of hope that bring a light
into our storied homes.

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