MOUNTAINS
 
 

Serene they stand formed

in geologic time; granite,

sandstone, schist and shale

together with other minerals

and metals thus comprised.
 
 

They shield our Valley

like a ring of steel, keeping

fierce storms and winds at bay,

hurricanes and tornadoes away,

while adding to the majestic

beauty of it all, changing

color as the sun different

angles strikes from shades

of brown to purple hues.
 
 

There are days when white-gray

clouds down the mountains roll

giving a new perspective to their

height, and also when heavily

covered with snow, one can

see the shapes of the ranges

much clearer and deeper inside.
 
 

We love our mountains and

give them names such as,

The Monument, Independence

Rock, The Bookcliffs, Mount

Garfield, Chalk Mountain,

The Mesa and on and on

 as though they were our friends.
 
 

As indeed they are, for when

adversity strikes we readily

focus on them and take peace

and solace to our hearts. At

other times they are fun for us,

summer picnics, hikes, climbing,

fishing, swimming, camping and

in winter skiing, snow-mobiling,

plain, healthy outdoor sport.
 
 

And so the mountains stand

while our life goes on,

day by day while we change

the mountains steadfast to

us are, but is this really so.

No, all things change; with

wind, water, erosion of all

kinds, our beloved mountains

just as we, are ever being

modified, even if it is in geologic time.
 

 HERBERT HOLZBAUER

 ©April 1997