[at-l] Clarendon Gorge

[Dan Shine <danshine@iconn.net>]

The Gorge

Two hikers climb down sweaty ridge,
Into a place unknown.
Entranced, they pause on swinging bridge;
Swift river rimmed with stone.

Thru-hikers dive from rocks below,
A shelter waits, but we can't go.
Must dive, must swim, that's all we know.
It's time for us to join the show.

Sun's rays enter emerald pool,
Revealing fish below;
Day's grime is lost in water cool,
We swim  til Sun's last glow.

Soft riverbank will make our bed,
On balsam we will sleep;
In comfort we will lay our heads,
Cleaned up in pools so deep.

Campfire makes a soft glow now;
River sends a melody.
In pasture heifers murmur low now,
Nature's music speeds our sleep.

Above us in the starry sky,
The moon sets, Milky Way swings by.
Northward, in the Summer air,
Cassiopeia in her chair.
The weary campers slumber on,
 Neath celestial Eagle, flying Swan.

Soft morning breeze,
A new sunrise;
To rustling leaves,
We open our eyes.

Quick breakfast, then a chilly dip,
As back to wooded trail we slip.
A scant few seconds we'll stay clean,
Must scale rocky hill's ravine.

Up on top, we've one last look;
And then it's time to go.
A mountain waits before us, look!
But we'll be back, we know.