That distant valley <br />Far below <br />Was I...as a child <br />........Eons ago <br /> <br />I've known great happiness <br />Shared...such strife <br />As that of the dinosaur <br />Struggling for life <br /> <br />From a simple existence <br />I've seen Man grow <br />In the scheme of evolution <br />I'll watch......him go <br /> <br />I question......my being <br />Invariably...I find <br />.....A mere speck of sand <br />On......God's beach...of time <br /> <br /> <br />Author's note: The poem addresses Mt. Tamalpais, geographically to the immediate north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. (The Mountain is sometimes known as 'The Sleeping Maiden, ' of Native American legend.) From my home, overlooking the northeastern perimeter of San Francisco Bay, I am blessed with a spectacular panorama of this magnificent creation! Viewing the Mountain, north to south, one can imagine the figure of a reclining female with an abundance......of long...flowing hair. <br /> <br />During periods of intense reflection, considering the Mountain....its splendor...its circumstance...its aggregate history...its future...its reticent humility...and the arrogant juxtaposition of Mankind, I often wondered, should the Mountain speak...What would it have to say? This work is the manifestation of untold hours of meditative thought.......a spiritual rendition of extraordinary.....time....and place! <br /> <br />Thanks to Rani Turton......whose observation was the catalyst inspiring the author's remark....<br /><br />James B. Earley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-mountain-speaks/
