I sat quietly on a rock shelf overlooking the pristine mountain lake some seven hundred feet below. From this perch I could barely make out an osprey circling then plummeting into the lake only to be foiled over and over in its attempts to land a trout dinner.
I came here to get away from the harried life I lead, a casualty of past choices and poor decisions. I came here seeking unknown answers to unasked questions. To this day, I can’t be sure of the forces that brought me to the mountain, but I sat there recalling and reliving phases of my life hoping to find some resemblance of peace within.
Above me loomed another twenty six hundred feet of rock and sparse tree line that completes the wind blasted body of Mount Crandell. Above that loomed a shadow of angry clouds and a solemn reminder that I was but a small pebble on this mountain of life.
A tandem of “rock whistlers” scurried between boulders barking their namesake call at me as if to inform me that up here, I was the stranger, the intruder. An outsider who must adapt in order to fit in. Soon I could see more of these fat little marmots, each one whistling, then perking tiny ears to hear the response from their mates. I found it intriguing that only one would speak at a time, while all others listened.
In this high country, the wind brings in the storms fast and furious. Soon their whistling stopped and the marmots holed up in burrows, poking curious heads out to see if the stranger was smart enough to find cover. I wasn’t. Instead, I sat still, overwhelmed by the magnificence of nature.
A few well placed rain drops found their way inside the collar of my jacket and snaked down my skin until evaporated by my body’s heat. The chilling sensations created brought me to my senses and I sought and found shelter under a small rock face jutting out like a spoilt child’s pouting lip.
The storm picked up momentum, and an electric flash briefly painted the darkening sky a menacing, purplish color. Seconds later, a loud crash reverberated over the mountain as the cymbals of thunder were struck with violent force. Over and over, this rhythmic pattern continued as the rains became heavier. I looked for my marmot friends, but they knew better than to be out when the air gets charged and rain falls in heavy, iron sheets upon the mountainside.
The rain seemed to impregnate the granite rock somehow, and I could feel the mountains come alive. I heard them yawn, then a much deeper breathing as they filled their lungs with air. The mountain gods exhaled, and the resulting winds whipped and drove the rain against the rocks I huddled under.
The winds, lightning and thunder all became orchestrated in some grand philharmonic arrangement as suddenly I was no longer apart from nature but an instrument of it. Black and white ideas soon transformed into colorful emotions as I felt instead of thought, dreamed instead of devised. The rains washed over me leaving behind only a remnant of the man I was. Still clothed in the same garb, still of the same skin, but now of a new mind.
Clarity and knowledge comes to those who listen to the wise. Who has seen more, done more than Mother Nature? She teaches those willing to learn. One just has to open their senses to be intimate with her. One just has to hear her music within their soul to gain understanding.
Author notes
A narrative of what can occur in nature if you are open to it.
Please critique, good or bad. I'm a big boy, I can take it.
Thanks,
Rory
Written May 3rd, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Rain or Rainbows by islekine.
400 points, ended April 8, 2008, 14 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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Holy Pancakes!
Nature is truely one of the greatest things in life. So many people go through their entire lives without experiencing the true beauty of the great out doors.
Your really captured the essence of that beauty in this piece. the poem was beautiful. Thank you so much for allowing us to read it.
well done, and thanks for entering,
-Dusty-
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VERY BEAUTIFUL!!!
If one goes and experiences natures awesome power and beauty they are truly never the same again.
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Thank you for your most beautiful entry, good luck, Josie
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Great!
"Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
-John Muir
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congratulation on the gold....you deserve it...
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I enjoyed this very much!
Thanks for entering...I am happy to have something different to read...well penned. And I totally agree..
we are all connected..
Write on and on!
*PEACE*
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This write...was just overwhelming. I felt like I was there experiencing your every word.
Such a beautiful write!...I have a love for nature...it's like a whole different world in my eyes.
debbie
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Let me put it this way...
Your imagery was so exceptional that I could place myself right there, on that mountain and hear what you hheard, saw what you saw and smelled the beautiful clean air that you did...
I could feel the rush/thrill going through my body "as the cymbals of thunder were struck with violent force" (By the way, I thought that particular line was 'perfection').
I love a good lightning storm, you did an amazing job describing the one experienced.
This piece was not too long but I found myself wanting more as it ended! I truly am amazed with this...
~Melissa
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Love "she teaches those willing to learn", my favorite line in the write. You paint one crystal clear image after another, filling my mind with one stunning picture after another. Beautiful work from you. Thanks for sharing your talent with us, you are that! A talent and this was my pleasure to read ~Tia
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Rory,
Thank you for finding me today or I never would have found you.
This is wonderful, though it makes me very home sick. There is nothing like a day in the mountains, with nature to make you feel right again.
Thank you for giving me a few moments of peace and a trip home. -
Rory, i noticed Amber Silverhair has been here. Have you looked at her writes. She is an excellent barometer if I may say so on any writing style. I wanted to come and visit you as I read this piece. i used to go up into the smaller mountains of the desert when i was in Tucson for five years. As i stated I was just 'rushed' with the sense of having you show me around the area and the sights. I pray that your writing is not sufffering due to career obligations. If so I understand, but it is a big loss for me and probably others here. RC
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Totally enjoyed. Reminds me so much of storms I have been through. I read this and I saw how Mother Nature at her best brings things into perspective and makes you realize where we belong, but at the same time can inspire you to an intolerable intensity.
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This is nicely penned. The feeling and imagery are both excellent. Nature is a sanctuary to me....and you are right if you look into it with openness..you will find much to experience.
I enjoyed and look forward to reading more of your work.
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Very nice story, this was beautifully penned
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Exceptional
Rory too long? not in the slightest way far from it too short for this reader.This was writing at its very best, and i felt privileged to be part of the experience.So much so that I am going to dry off, and get warm by the fire. A wonderful piece only spoiled by its having come to an end Thank you for a most enjoyable read -
I felt every emotion in this. Vivid, abstract and yet everything comes together. I truly feel the depth from this. So much truth. I loved every line of this piece as its' very touching and just full of positive thoughts and energy. Stunning imagery and the flow to this piece is quite impressive. Lovely write!! Great message in this poem. Thought provoking, Imaginative, and I loved your creative imagery. Your carefully chosen words painted a picture as I read your poetic work of art. I am glad I read it. thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work. Best of wishes to you. good luck in all that you do....peace always in all ways.
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A Poet with Pen in hand
Thanks for the trip to the beautiful place and quietness and all the wisdom shared. you are a beautiful , talented person.
Keep writing!
I would love someone on your level to critique a few of my poems. Oh, Please! Thank You..Thank You... -
The vivid images you portray in these lines allow me to see the storm and the ruggedness of the countryside you are in. Lovely images you have drawn for all readers. It is nice to get away and just think about nature and its glory, it's restfullness and it's natural occurances.
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brilliant
I was intrigued by your title.I'm glad i was as you have used your words to paint a beautiful picture of your day with mother nature in the mountains. I don't think its too long as your words kept me captivated. I enjoyed reading your poem thankyou. xcapricex -
enjoyable read!
I say good and I was right there on that mountain with you! Your wrap up was excellent and there's something about the dreaming artist that I so appreciate, to be able to recognize the significance of things that money just can't buy is admirable. Thanks for sharing. joy
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