Mountain Cathedrals

From that rare height
attained through no mean effort,
the perspective of the landscape
is altered so significantly
awe results from the near presence
of an altered geology and the
far-sighted prospect of an
even more distant landscape.

The surrounding forest obtains
a mystical air; spruce, pine
and oak sculpted, the sky
elaborating on their
shape, size and texture.
Granite outcroppings of rare
dimension and outsized character
staging the presentation of a

sublime panorama, with carved,
green valley below, summits
bulking under gathering
clouds, ovenbirds and thrushes
billing their glorious songs
reverberating through the
forest of mountain cathedrals.