TO BECOME ONE...WITH NATURE. TO ALLOW THE THOUGHTS OF IT TO 'METAPHORICALLY' OVERTAKE US AND ENTER IN...WHEREBY, WE BECOME ONE WITH IT AND THUS...NO LONGER ARE WE OBSERVING BUT, INTENTIONALLY... ABSORBING IT AS THE LUSCIOUS GIFT THAT IT IS...WHILE EXPRESSING, SO ARTISTICALLY, THE TRUE INTENT, INDEED... 'THE VERY REASON' FOR IT'S CREATION....TO 'INSPIRE'. A MARVELOUS WORK, SO ENJOYED!!! LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Another masterpiece, Richard! I like how you do not give away what you felt was "forbidden" for we all must make our choices based on what we know to be right and wrong. I love the line "Afterwards hiding my shame in moist cellars". This is the place we hide our wrongs; both actions and thoughts. A strong message here!
Sheila

Wonderful journey you penned Richard!
I feel like I've been on vacation.
Great write and picture.
Thanks for sharing.

Love and Hugs,
Patricia

This is a poem I would like to recite by heart. I will read and re-read it to accomplish my will. "In The Valley Of Pearl Mountains" is a masterpiece.

I salute You, Poet.

In admiration,


Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

Ah, the lessons we have learned through indulging ourselves "in the rythms of indiscretion" stay with us; and like the rythm of the rails we hear as the narrow gauge train passes through such beautiful surroundings sparks memories and whispers to us "The dulcet soothing lullaby of fidelity." These life lessons have certainly not been wasted on you, poet! This is outstanding inspiring didactic poetry!
~Butch Howard

Wonderful memior of past transgressions without giving them away. I was distracted by the Durango Silverton train that I've longed to ride since seeing it in the station twice. Fortunately, I have taken some of the historic mountain rail lines in their gritty coal dust glide through vistas of unimpeachable beauty.

Ron

Yep If You Get Back Up 1 More Time After You Fall You As I Will (stumble) Make It to The Your End...

Hey, I Joined MY Space.Com Got More Dozens Hits On My Books & My Love Life In Less 4 Days Than I Can Count...

You Friend TRASK... Another Write Right On...

I have not been to this valley...but this wonderful piece of work took me back to similar journeys in my past. And to me, that is the mark of a good piece of writing. Your work is always vivid and evocative.

Hope you got the camera in before the trees.
Casey Jones still rolling.
Poem and photo well married, and albeit overused by americans.
This is awesome dude...

That river talked to the Arapaho Medicine Man with the voice of the mountains, of coming pale-faced brothers that didn't respect his brothers, and as you fell and rose your feet stuttered the language of mother earth.
Great poem.
Georg

Today I'm starting earlier, in the hope that my computer won't overheat before I've been able to accomplish what I've been trying to for the last couple of days - to write a few heartfelt comments on some amazing poems read here in AD. And I'm starting right here at your den, my dearest Richard, to bid you a belated but very sincere welcome - and to express my wonder at the two extraordinary "accounts" of one very special journey you seem to have taken in parallel to your vacation trip, and which you generously share with us upon your return. I'm talking about this and the previous poem, of course. To this reader, both your "Search for Beauty" and these reflections "In the Valley of Pearly Mountains" are two stages of one same "inner journey" - "borrowing" the title of your series of novels, probably the most "Monumental Journey" anyone can take, and one of the most challenging, because, while taking us to places we know, both for the good and for the bad, it also dares us to "visit" those other places we maybe never wanted to acknowledge. I commend you, dear friend, for your courage - and celebrate your findings, along that path to wholeness, with you... while imbibing, totally spellbound, the beauty of the images Michelle - your remarkable companion in all journeys - has illustrated that path with.
Again, dear Richard, welcome back! Love & many {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
Alexandra*

I had a really great time in the Valley of Pearl Mountain

Wonderful journey you penned Richard!!

Awesome picture!!

Love Sissy Tinka

Dear Richard,

This is quite a journey you take us on and one that many a heart & soul can relate to. Please tell Michelle that I am really impressed with her magnificent photography. What's beyond that curve in the track and where do those raging waters lead? A peaceful place, I'm sure.

Love & Light always and in all ways,
Joseph*

A wonderful photo my friend, stunning how she has captured the flowing water as it wonders wrecklessly through the river bed. I could imagine riding the train that chugged along the predictable tracks while gazing out the window at the waters flowing freely! Very inspiring write that touched the depth of my soul! I love the serene mountains, so much going on within the picture and the heart of the poet within the lines of this outstanding write! Enjoyed this very much! You've inspired me this morning dear friend. So glad you're posting, missed reading your work while you were away! Bravo on both the poem and the photo, a powerful combination. I agee with the others, this combination would make a wonderful book!
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling

The older we get . . .
Do we get softer. . . .
Or harder?
Wiser. . .compassionate?
After reading. . .I was left more or less. . .
Breathless. . . .
DWB

Sir Richard you should give thought to combining your poetry and Michelle's photo's in one of those coffee table books! they are exceptional and should be published!

Love,
Sugar chum

Outstanding indeed ,love the picture...Hugs

Someday we will travel west and hopefully we can get a ride on that same choo-choo, have not, so far, been further west than Missouri...e

Richard,
Awesome photography and verses. Outstanding work, Richard.

Many blessings to you,
~Linda

You had me at pearl mountains. :)

I remember those days as a grave of dreaded recklessness
Where once a wanderer through soul deserts sought
The dulcet soothing lullaby of fidelity.

One comment Richard--absolutely lovely!

Wendi

Richard, first I must commend Michele for the beautiful picture, she captured the rough water, the serenity of the area, the train forging forward to an unknown area...beautiful!! In a flash, many of us become weak and cross over the line of rules we set for ourselves and memories of the past will haunt us. There is one salvation though, believer's ask and receive HIS grace. Both picture & poem were awesome!

AWESOME!!!
So much...!!!
Beauty
Love
Pain
Shame
Longing
I could go on and on...
Loved the pic too, I just Love the Mountains!

God Bless -Spirit Warrior

A brilliant write of reminisence, exploration and growth Richard. Had to read this over a few times to take it all in. Excellent write and great pic.

Edwin

THIS IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH PEACE.

Not that you're ever lacking inspiration soul bud, but you must see Michele's phototgraphy and your brilliant mind go Ah Ha, I feel a poem coming on. How can it not.
Extraordinary last two lines:
"Where once a wanderer through soul deserts sought
The dulcet sooting lullaby of fidelity."
BRAVO my dear.