Mountain Trail
Misty grassy meadows,
belly herbs and shrub,
rising trout in rippling streams,
home of bear and cub.
Perky squirrels, chipmunk, deer,
coyote, beaver, sheep,
fox, elk on golden bluff
of daisy-jeweled deep.
Tiny moss basks in the sun,
while tufts of yellow, blue
leapfrog rocks with lofty crags
like children two by two.
Spider webs and fluffy fern,
mushrooms marching time,
endless with the hemlock, birch
and ponderosa pine.
Blackbird, eagle, hawk and owl,
blue jay, robin, quail -
meadowlark and cardinal
grace the wonder trail.
Higher hearts begin to pound.
Dizzy headaches spin,
but the sound of silence calls
and moves the hearts within.
Gurgling streams and whispering winds
sigh harmonic tones.
Far beyond the canopy
grumbling thunder groans.
Rain and fury lash the branch -
lightning streaks the sky,
purple-fingered majesty
beautifies the eye.
Silver lakes and valleys deep,
snow-whipped creamy crowns,
clawing clouds of creeping fog
through roller coaster ground.
Here no billboard, neon sign
stalks with smoke or smog.
Here the mind and heart in prayer
communicate with God.
Carmine