Timberline

Down

down

down

the mountain I glided,
not without a million falls.
I saw you down ahead of me
and I was trying so hard
to catch up to you.

I'd watch you ...
    ahhhh,

what beautiful form.

I was beginning to ask myself
what the heck I was doing skiing ...
    I felt so clumsy next to you.

One time I saw you
    going up on the chair lift.
I had just taken another spill
when I saw you hop on the chair ...

I just sat there and stared.

You saw me sprawled out in the snow.
You noticed I was watching you ...

you smiled ...

and waved.

I was embarrassed
and got myself up and down the mountain.

Then I didn't see you

for the longest time.

I had lost you ...

    and once again

I felt alone.

I kept going

down the mountain

and down on my back

    time after time
until I had forgotten
how long I'd been there

without you.

Another spill ...

I picked myself up.

The trees flew by and then ...

another spill.

This time I decided
I'd just lay there for awhile.

The snow sprayed on me from behind

as someone made a stop.

I looked up to see who pulled that stunt

and it was you.

You smiled ...

helped me up ...

    and my fantasy came to life.

Copyright © 1976 by Jace Carlton and Diamond Heights Press
Copyright © 2004 renewed by Jace Carlton

and Quiet Storm - Rolling Thunder Press

All International Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Excerpt from Breaking The Stillness published by Diamond Heights Press,
an imprint of the Quiet Storm - Rolling Thunder group