gazing up the canyon
cut by time and current
in the great rock of the earth
I marvel at the energy
the beauty
at the tenacity
of this pristine stream
sculpting this magnificence
it tumbles in sterling clarity
over boulder and falls
ever onward
tireless
timeless
captivated
I lift my head
listening
the breeze murmurs
whispering through the boughs
of the towering pines
it wafts down the lofty climbs
brushes my face gently
tosses my hair
dances past me
round the bend
a quick soft breath
escapes my lips
like a prayer
the sun paints the day
in spectral golden rays
I’m enthralled
breathless ‘midst this beauty
thankful for the gift of life
Clackamas River in Oregon, western foothills of Mt. Hood
rob kistner © 2019
DAY 3
Such a beautiful and calm place to be. So grateful for the gifts of nature and life.
This river is a joy to behold Grace. Absolutely crystal clear, clean enough to drink, and teeming with trout and salmon. It is fed by the partial seasonal melt-off of the permanent glacier atop the western slope of Mount Hood, in the Cascade Mountains.
Beautiful post Rob. I could feel the wind, hear the water rushing and see the rock cleavages!
Thank you Dwight. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such inspiration.
The last stanza says it all. Your poem is a prayer, which you allude to in your poem. It’s peace-inducing to read it.
It looks like you are in author Tom Robbins turf out there. Ever hear anything about him??
Thank you for your kind words Jade. I am certainly familiar with Tom Robbins work, especially “Even Cowgirls…” but have not heard anything about him… 🙂
Oh. . .this is so beautiful, Rob! There are places like this that just awe us with the beauty of nature.
It’s all lovely, but these lines made me think of the flow and fall of the water:
it tumbles in sterling clarity
over boulder and falls
ever onward
Thank you Merill. The bend in the Clackamas River pictured with this poem is a place I have stood flyfishing many times. There are ripples a slack water right in the crook of the bend. Pulled many trout out of their, including an 8 lbs. native Cutthroat. It is in the western foothills of Mt. Hood in the Cascade Mountains. The spot is less than an hour from my home of 25 years. Almost heaven… 🙂
Such places and sights certainly make us grateful for this life — I love all the images that you have conjured — it just makes me want to be there and experience it for myself. 🙂
Anmol, before you exit spaceship earth you must come for a month, from the middle of August to the middle of September, to visit the Pacific Northwest! You must at the very least, see the ocean cliffs of the north central Oregon Coast – The Columbia Gorge – Washington’s Puget Sound – Coeur d’Alene Idaho – the Three Sisters are in the high desert of central Oregon, and the waterfalls throughout the Cascade Mountains! If you stay in Portland, Oregon, sll these things are within a few hour car ride. You will leave here transcendent – I promise.
Your love of Oregon comes through loud and clear, Rob. I once took the mail boat up the Rogue and the scenery (and my response) was much as you describe. So pristine, so untouched, so removed from the hustle-bustle of city life. Beautiful write, Rob!
Thank you, and I am glad you got to do that Bev!
The way we all find those place of beauty in the landscape is why there is a connection to our bodys in geography,
You are so right Björn. I didn’t move to the Pacific Northwest of the United States until I was 40. The first time l drove along the Columbia River, through the Columbia Gorge, on our way to Portland, Oregon – I knew I was home. The feeling was so powerful I shed tears. I have loved this region of the country more and more, the longer my wife and I, and now my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, live in this magnificent Eden. There is a perfect place for everyone to live. Some people sadly never find it because they simply never look.
I like the thought of the breath leaving like a prayer.
Thank you Frank… 🙂
enthralled, indeed. a fine depiction ~
Thank you grapeling!
magical!
Thank you do much Kerfe…!
Well done, Rob.
I’ve had similar thoughts while hiking in the Niagara gorge.
Thank you Ken! I am certsin you do, and isn’t wonderful!! 🙂