“HIKING”
by Ed Matlack
The overwhelming power of Nature looses the soul from the concrete bastian
Replacing glass-perforated walls with giants of green and bark
Underfoot the cement and asphalt turns into sweet-smelling earth and leaf-rot
A racing stream instead of speeding traffic lends muffled background
Snow mantled boughs exchanged for bleak hard stone—moss for rust
Little known or appreciated solace is found in this haven a few minutes from the core
Lifes dreaded and hum-drum buzz-saw of existence is belittled by a sequence of wonders
Never repeating itself, Nature provides an unending panorama of fool-proof structures
All weather buffeted, the young and old alike bear up under seasonal changes
A quality of serenity little broken by storms - even then, only an adjustment
For the betterment of mankind, a close look at this phenomena would provide an arch of comfort
Beneath tired feet lies the soothing balm of peace...
