Climbing

Trucks pass by my house all night
Across the river east and west

I hike for several hours a day
And climb upon the granite crest

Where I can see the valley floor
And forest with its secret streams

The gold mined towns that lie below
And peopled with forgotten dreams

A pathway traced on open ground
Green and laced with sweet travertine

The hand of God or man could not
Create a pasture quite so green