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On the Restigouche River |
The great pine tree rises above the lesser hardwoods and conifers on the ridge.
He spreads his long boughs out and up into the blue sky
to catch the sun and the wind without impediment.
He weaves in the spring breeze with a dancer's easy grace
even though he is firmly rooted in the rock
far above my small boat on the hurrying river.
| Image contributed by Sammy Solo |
He cannot rule unchallenged on his lonely river bend forever.
Fire may lay him low.
He might yet feel the sharp bite of the axe.
His lot in life is mortal just like mine.
Yet on this day and ever longer he will reign supreme
because time matters not for him, just for me.
Time is a human construct.
Time will not tarnish his majesty on the high ridge.
He will enjoy his dominion in his own Forever.
I promise to remember him
and to hold his likeness immutable in my mind's eye.
I turn in my seat to glimpse him one last time,
before the river carries me around the mountain
and beyond his imperial sway.
Nanook of the Nashwaak
Reach out and touch a rock
