Page 32 - SMH 2017 2nd edition

To the summit above from the valley below,
by Jason Kinnaird
along the winding trail the hikers go

to the Cave of Alum or beyond to Points Myrtle,

some swif as hares, some slow as turtles.

With visions of views majestc and reaching
to the endless horizon, its call ever beseeching.

Some will see llamas, some will see bears

while some will see creatures that surely aren’t there.

On occasion a Norseman can be seen hiking,

adorned with horned helmet like any good Viking.
He raises his hammer towards Odin’s blue skies,

as dreams of Valhalla fash in his eyes.

Spring brings fowers and skies growing sunny,

all heralded by a hiking Easter Bunny.

His pack is a basket, he brings nothing but smiles

before heading back down, hopping the miles.
Summer’s end comes as evenings grow darker,

comes forth a fgure less bright and far starker.

Draped all in black, his bony form creaking,

The Reaper appears without ever speaking.

Fall fades away and Winter draws near

and what to weary hiker eyes does appear
but a jolly old elf and his trusty reindeer.

Another year over and hikers take pause

for photos at Clif Tops with kind Santa Claus.

So when hiking LeConte, believe you me,

one never knows who they might see!

32 Smoky Mountain Hiker