Into the heart of Trinity Alp,
Where exhilarations warn of dangers above
That nature may take my scalp.
For in my younger days a field,
I had a knack for these types of things.
Common sense fading to invincibility
When the siren sweetly sings.
To Canyon Creek flowing arrow straight
From holy bosom of Trinity peaks,
Shining marble white in an emerald sea.
Granite islands who's legend speaks.
Gleaming temples of beauty fit
For the Three for which they're named.
On a grand scale of Zeus' Olympus,
Where tonight his realm proclaimed.
To Boulder Creek Lakes on western rim.
A hanging valley on lofty perch.
In beautiful view of Sawtooth Peak
And range in glory's search.
Where path begins in majestic oak.
With pine and inland growth.
In magical woodland I linger long;
Autumn toned greens and yellows both.
A wood spirit wonderland by creek below.
In my pores let soak their rhymes.
Whose immersion is a tonic best
To be drank in these good times.
Small walls of water sheeting off
Into glistening pools in mossy glade.
To delight the soul of traveler weary,
When siren's calls to relax are made.
But not today fair ladies of the glen.
Soon loftier elevations are in store.
For the sky is slowly fading to gray,
As the overhead clouds gather more.
Onward through the meadowed fern.
On the edges where others were heard.
They'd be safe and protected in shadowed grove
From gusts fresh the ocean stirred.
A few small drops fell on my head
As I reached a stepping fall
That came in from the lakes I sought
Which lay in hallowed hall.
As I ascended Boulder Creek,
The winds increased but warm.
The clouds rolled in from western skies
With doom of the pending storm.
"I should not be climbing higher," I thought.
"Back to the meadow below."
"The others were the smart ones you jackass!"
But onward I did go.
Invincibility was winning out
As common sense was tossed.
For the sirens were calling from the lake above.
In their pleasures my mind was lost.
This is how those sailors perish
From their voyages in paradise.
I too could not stop until I'd found
To have been wrapped in deadly vice.
The rumble of thunder to the west as I climbed
Now reaching the alpine bowl.
"The lightning should hit the surrounding peaks,"
So I thought of the chances I'd stole.
The sirens had now wrapped their legs
Tightly around my head.
All reasoning was surely gone by now,
As my wonder had turned to dread.
A flash of light and a thundering CRACK
Blasted nearby from above.
A sudden downpour following at once
Pushed me into my tent with a shove.
As nightfall fell and the rain had died,
I crawled out and lay on a rock.
And I let the calmness slowly creep in
As the enchanting slowly took stock.
What followed was of nature's fury!
Above me now an amazing feat!
Raw, breastplate filleted open,
Exposed heart pulsing electric beat!
The angst of youth driving at the core
Of climactic rawness undulating.
Gyrating and spasming in endless ecstasy.
Ghostly with nashed teeth and grating.
As if 40,000 wolves in orchestral howl
In unison and rhythm to Alpha Mother.
With grimace and snarl she conducts her song
Of persistence she is matched none other.
Rolling! Rolling! Rolling without end!
Not in waves like the sea, but constant river flow
Of electric clouds tumbling and fighting
And grinding over jagged ridges below.
A fury of gray and pink and orange
With silver streaks bent running through.
Never reaching down to the granite peaks.
3,000 salmon gathered right on que.
Jumping the falls of Earth, heavenly bound.
Fighting upstream past grizzly's jaws.
Struggling to reach holy breeding grounds.
The pure essence of nature's laws.
Pulsating crackles whipping throughout.
Explosive rumblings reverberating back
Off Earth's exposed granitic bones.
Incessant chaos with a thunderous SMACK!
After hours of this I grew weary and tired.
With sleeping bag ready, I crawled inside
While Zeus proclaimed his rightful place.
He finished his sermon fully satisfied.
The morning dawned with barely a trace
Of what went on the previous night.
I awoke to near cloudless sky.
Blue as the Aegean, and sun shining bright.
The whole of the day was spent exploring
The islands and cliffs and lakes all around.
For I had survived the sirens' trappings.
Who had silenced their singing, nor whispered a sound.
