Appalachian Vignettes Poem by Ben Gieske

the sun
streaking its blush
across the dawning sky
bleak winter morn
frolicking shadows
breaking gloom
in the misty glen
floating lanterns
ghosts abound
melting snow
harping around the rocks
cascading in song
abandoned homestead
daffodils multiplying still
crocus blooms
spring’s first freshness
purple moonshine
black waters
running through the land
scenes of destruction on every hill
train tracks
chunks of coal
orphans along the way
log house
in the woods
family three
poor mother
gathering orphans along the tracks
to burn off the morning mountain’s chill
wild flowers, plants, and vines
tango free
lending colors, shades, and blades
copperheads coiled
by the lake
bronzed layers of sun
little white church
in Clover Bottom
redbuds and dogwoods
whispering a pious refrain
a chorus of multicolored leaves
driving up the hollows
along silver creek
pass Pilot Knob
through Daniel Boone’s Forest
over Big Hill on to Sand Gap
now Possum Trot and then Blue Lick
stopping at Rainbow Falls
just around the bend
of the little Green River
in the summer dusk
a mockingbird mimics
Debussey’s l’aprèsmidi
howling dogs racing across the ridge
rain clouds prowling the horizon
stars all singing together
the sweetest music is here
with the evening cool of the mountains
freight train
passing in the night
lonely wolf howling
around the campfire
warmed-up toes
embers in glowing hearts

calling, calling
yearning, yearning
farewell to the mountains

- Sept.29,2007