not all that long ago
i hiked the Appalachian Trail
actually, just a small part of it
from Springer Mountain Georgia to
the end of the Smokies
hiking is a misnomer,for
it would be more accurate to say
Climbing the trail
Flat did not exist
nowhere,no how
Along the way,on a FEW special days
we (hikers?)might be blessed with this
thing called, "Trail Magic"
gifts would magically appear
trail magic is what the old timers called it
offerings on the trail, for the
foot weary travelers


now, at first i thought it was all
just a bunch of hooey
i mean the best i did was find
an old worn out shirt
torn and tattered
Man, i thought i got Lucky
or the day, i heard a hot legged
honey, whistling Dixie and
thought she might be blowing mytune
i never knew,cause it was strange music
i didn't get the beat
so nothing happened,which made me feel
this gift thing on the trail ,well
sounded fishy
another TALL tale
Like mountain elves and fairies
i mean gifts on the trail
the middle of nowhere
Oh come on now
however I was mistaken,cause  i saw it
i experienced it first hand as i rounded
the bend on a descent and could
See it down throught the trees
in between a switch back cut on the mountain
a basket overflowing full of
fruits and eats
Sitting there in the middle
hovering,floating,golden light glowing
my eyes trying to believe,that
what i was seeing that indeed
was a basket  of fruit did appear
all for my taking,to partake of
these blessings i did receive,all from
a complete stranger
it did rattle me to my core,shook me
to my knees,humbled i did feel
then ,a few days<later
it was repeated
this time by a woman at the well
a most magicial moment, to happen still
A memory i will treasure
she stood silently,long midnight black hair
falling down to her feet
wordlessly, she did offer
to share from her cup
clear cold spring water
"where you headed"she asked
"to the end of this section somewhere past the Smokies mountains"my reply
then added "but I'm not sure where I'll be tomorrow' i said
Her eyes met mine,and then she said
"tomorrow is a long time from now"
and i knew that was our last good bye

Snassano 08-21-07