John Dotson, a longtime local poet, finds inspiration in the natural beauty of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Dotson, though not officially designated as such, has come to be recognized as a poet of Point Lobos, following in the footsteps of other notable writers who have been drawn to this landmark.
He is not the first to capture the essence of Point Lobos in verse. Carmel’s George Sterling wrote “An Altar of The West” in 1911, while Jeanne D’Orge dedicated a chapter to Point Lobos in 1928. Local literary giant Robinson Jeffers, one of Dotson’s influences alongside Dylan Thomas, also found inspiration in the area. Today, the reserve continues to inspire a new generation of poets.
Dotson estimates he has written around 50 poems dedicated to Point Lobos—one for each year he has spent living in the area. Though he cannot recall the first poem he wrote, one of his early significant works is “Blue Fish Cove,” which predates his 2008 poetry collection Rivulets of Light: Poems of Point Lobos and Carmel Bay.
“Point Lobos offers me a connection to larger forces,” Dotson explains. He describes the reserve as a sacred and timeless place. Despite the frequent crowds and parking issues, he says there are still quiet spots that remain untouched.
Dotson is not only a poet but also a nonfiction writer, radio personality, community organizer, and sculptor. Some of his sculptures are currently on display at the Pacific Grove Art Center, where they are exhibited alongside paintings by Elizabeth Wrightman. The exhibition, titled What Did The Thunder Say?, will be available for viewing until Oct. 24. Dotson describes the show as reflecting “the reality of soul,” with works made from wood, metal, and found objects.
Despite his many artistic endeavors, Dotson consistently returns to Point Lobos for inspiration and reflection. In his 1975 poem “Solitude,” he wrote, “Mammoth clouds move stealthily southward toward Big Sur.” Another notable work, “Invisibly You,” written near Whalers Cabin in 2008, captures the natural beauty of the area with lines like:
“Invisibly you
Sing the world little goldfinch
Morning’s strong surprise.”
Dotson’s poetry is often minimalist, occasionally taking the form of a haiku. His works capture the physical experience of Point Lobos, the tourists he encounters, and pay homage to the Esselen and Rumsen people who once lived there. For Dotson, the voices of these early inhabitants seem to linger in the air, alongside echoes of George Sterling’s lively picnics from the 1920s.
In 2003, Deborah Streeter wrote in Dancing On The Brink of The World, a collection of poems about Point Lobos, that “to visit Point Lobos is to become a poet.” John Dotson, with his deep connection to the place, exemplifies this sentiment.