Having vindicated a personal bias
now concerning the ‘Devil’s Post Pile,’
we descend further down into
a steeply walled canyon,
where the Southern,
Central and
Eastern Sierras converge.
Here, in a rare confluence of climates,
the San Joaquin River finds its beginning
as snow in the mountains…
.
Eyes pleasure in a rich mix,
distinctive and charming, where
an assortment of flora - the Eastern Aspen
Juniper and Sagebrush, along with Western
Fir Alder and Gooseberry - captures our affections…
.
As we go, eager
eyes absorb a
mosaic of boulders
and pebbles steadfastly
fixed in and along the tortuous
descent in motley textures smoothed
by a rivers flowing incessancy…
.
Suddenly, from this vast
confluence of forms & nuances, a
particular thing catches Michele’s eyes,
.
“LOOK THERE!” She cries pointing towards
.
the water’s edge
where another of
nature’s panoptic illustrations
lay firmly fixed in amongst
a myriad wash of shapes,
a representation
(of sorts) for
keen eyes,
and too, in a place
so fickly inclement, a
picture of deeper resolve,
with regard to human hardship,
Heart rocks grounded well, that despite
the many storms endured throughout a lifetime,
remain recognizable in an ever-changing diversity…
.
richard lloyd cederberg
2022