Hidden Paths

during and after a hike in Great Falls Park

Far from the stony towers,
and the hardened pavement ways,
stand the watchers and rememberers,
'mongst whom light and shadows play.

For ages hidden in silent watch,
in beauty no man could contrive,
In joy they sang before our ways,
brought limits to our lives.

The same golden sun is shining
on the secret, hidden ways.
A golden blanket, kissed with sun,
light on the forest lays.

And here is still remembered
the time there was no man.
When the glory in these shaded paths,
was but a step of greater plan.

In moss hung and gold-lit castle,
all one can see is giving.
They give glory to their Creator King,
merely by their vibrant living.

At sight of this joyful living,
the heart with wonder fills.
To hear the joyous sparrow sing,
above yellow daffodils.

Worn and ancient boulders sit,
like knobby old men, gray.
See faces uncounted and every step,
that has tread upon the way.

And tangled trees remember
the ages long ago.
They've seen times of joy and laughter,
and times of tears and woe.

Some stand as silent sentinels,
and remember all they've seen.
They'll watch lives that have yet to pass,
after lives that once have been.

And the river still is rolling,
oer rocks now worn with age.
Now a roaring, deadly lion,
now a silent, pondering sage.

If such beauty lives in our world,
how much more will be hereafter.
When nature will wake in truest form,
at the word of it's great Crafter.