Altar of Stone

I have come to the cathedral of Godand find Her home.She throws open Her arms in welcome,anoints my soul with the smell of warm pine,lifts my spirit on the wings of eagles.I stand in awe of Her sanctuary.Where architecture of man might use stained glass,waterfalls, wrapped in rainbow ribbons,catch light,reflect beauty.Hand chiseled walls of solid granite,a thousand stories high,delicately painted over millions of yearsby fire and ice, hardship and love,draw my tears of penance.And in narrow cracks, earth gives footing

to manzanita, pine and oak

where She dabbles in the ancient,

patient art of bonsai

on a megalithic scale.

An offering of sweat seems proper

and on the mountainside is proffered.

She holds my hand and lends me strengthas I climb and climb into thin airto overlook the full, unfathomable grandeur.Imagine the crushing, grindingpressure of the massive weight of glaciers.Is that what one must endure to gain this depth and breadth of serenity?Or may I simply borrow some?I peel away my skin of everydayand lie upon glistening granite,where the Sun God comesto worship in me.Yosemite!photos - top: Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls 2004

middle: Cathedral Peaks 2009

bottom: Half Dome 2009

poem © 2004