With sweat dripping off the ends of my hair
And the brim of my old brown Stetson
The one with the rattlesnake skin
I harvest the minutes of happiness
As I sit perched on the west side
Of a knife-edged ridge high in the cascades
I probe and part the stone and soil
Peering through dust and debris
In search of quartz crystals
I am a rockhound
A breed apart
Yet a part of all who know the earth
Time is the treasure that's counted
As the quest for gems unfolds
From the canyon the canyon below
A breeze whisps by
I pause, tasting the mountain scents
Left in it's fresh wake
And peruse the ever-changing Oregon skies
I look out past the long valley of the Calapooya
To the coast range beyond
Where the shoulder of Mary's peak
Rises, dimly blue in the hazy distance
And on this, the first day of September
I know peace and satisfaction
Here amidst the rock cliffs and vine maple
The Oregon Grape and huckleberry
The wind and sun and cloud
I am as I would be
I am all I see
I touch the stone
As it touches me

– Danman

Copyright ©1997 Daniel Mahoney
E-mail: dankm@proaxis.com

This poem may not be copied, distributed or reprinted in any form without the author's permission. To contact the author, please use the e-mail address provided. If you are unable to contact the author, please contact the Canadian Rockhound. Authorized reprints must acknowledge the author and the Canadian Rockhound, and include the website URL address of the Canadian Rockhound.

More on Copyright

Document Number: CR9701418

Copyright © 1997 Canadian Rockhound

Images of minerals are Copyright ©1997 theImage.com
unless otherwise noted.

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