The Trail

Note: If you ever take the trail up to Gunter Ridge in Jefferson National Forest on the 8th switchback (there are 19 all together) after you begin the uphill ascent, you will come to a place I call the Throne. It is a naturally formed chair complete with back and arm rests where you can sit and look out at the valley below.

I come to you at last,

my secret refuge,

my final stand;

it is a journey I have

been making,

all my life;

you taste like chicken salad

sandwiches, and bottles

of Pepsi-Cola

on the last day of school

before summer break,

like hot, July mornings,

your dad taking vacation,

as mom packs the cooler,

for trips to ‘Deer Forest’ or

‘Tower Hill’,

sampling her potato salad,

wanting more;

never enough,

never enough;

time is running out,

it is there in every step,

every whisper,

every breath,

but it is okay,

eventually, we all arrive at the

same destination;

my spirit cries out,

just once more,

just once more,

but the body says no,

never again,

so you travel in your mind,

in your thoughts,

you remember the view,

the touch,

the feel,

you remember the cool breeze,

blowing on your face,

the crows cawing out,

the valley floor,

lying so far below,

the sun shining on your face;

you remember the quiet,

the solitude,

the peace;

you remember

the days gone by,

you see the road ahead,

with a sigh,

you start down the trail

leading home.

.

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