Punta Abreojos
They named the point
Open Your Eyes
Abre los Ojos
A rock and sand bulwark
Jetting into the Pacific
Protecting a lagoon, whales, osprey nests
But a sleeping watchman
Or unskilled helmsman
Would know wreckage on her stony shore
And now her proud light cuts
Across dark sea night
Open your eyes, it says
And then it comes around again
And speaks for years, for years
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Protecting Mexican fishermen and peculiar sailors
A town, a school
A sleeping daughter named Xiomara
Open our eyes, Open your eyes
Open my eyes
Abre los ojos
The fishermen and community members of Punta Abreojos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, have fought to protect their coastline, their gray whales, sea turtles and fisheries. Their lobster fishery is the first in Latin America to be certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. They also have a healthy local abalone population, excellent schools, strong baseball teams and good surf. Many of the people in Punta Abreojos are dear friends of mine, I love what they stand for.
OCEAN Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 12, Fall 2006