Family Hike to"Black Mountain"

Ever since we came to the desert, we have looked out of our kitchen window and wondered, "Why is that mountain black?" So we started to call it "Black Mountain". With all of the snow on the mountains we saw that it was standing without snow. We took a drive on snow packed roads and crept up on the mountain. We don't know much about the dirt roads. So we parked and walked the last couple of miles. There was snow on the ground and the uneven landscape made the hike more challenging. The view was spectacular. With the intermittent clouds, we had to keep moving to stay warm. 

There is a strange rule that seems to exist - the mountains seem to move farther away the longer you walk. We eventually arrived and climbed around for a time and explored the canyon and got acquainted with the rock formations. So many wonderful colors, shapes and textures. 

We headed back home across the desert to the car, our long journey nearly complete. The fog started to roll in from the south. By the time we arrived home, there was no way to see "Black Mountain" at all. 

On the hike, nothing brought relief like several water breaks with cookies to tide us over. The vast open spaces never cease to amaze me. This snow covered land has so many hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. They are hidden in the rocks and whispered on the wind and stretched across the bluest of skies. What more could I ask for on a winter's day, than to push myself off of the sofa and walk into the face of the undeniable beauty of my desert home. I have attempted to capture this moment and etch it into my memory through a poem.


Black Mountain

There it stood dark and obvious against the sky
defying the elements and beckoning to me.
After driving a maze of snow covered roads we approached,
never really finding the easy way to her skirts.

Starting across the openness of the landscape, we walked.
The goal to reach the base of her talus slope.
Reaching each rock outcrop, we paused and gazed at her.
Still gaining little on her moving form as if an illusion.

Wonders of scattered rocks lined the desert floor -
the colors, shapes and textures kept us in good spirits.
-Ever sneaking up on her-
small washes gave way to larger gulleys and finally 
a small canyon hindered us from accessing her nearness.

We scrabbled down and through our final obstacle 
and stared up at her steep, rock-strewn slope,
too difficult to climb today. 
We must return another day and greet her once more.

Leaving her behind, we glanced over our shoulders.
Back into the desert we made our retreat
through the crunching of snow and reflected whiteness.
As scouts following a trail to camp, we made our way.

Off in the southern sky, we could see the fog
crawling along the valley floor, 
but we were safe for the time 
enjoying the grand spectacle that spread before us.

We had found the secret of Black Mountain.
Powerful forces had raised her head above the desert floor
and heated her from within.
Her skirts now covered with cinders.


Tired, but filled with accomplishment we were 
reminded of our smallness in this place.
Yet, with awe found a sleeping friend-
ate, played and laughed as we sat at her feet.

 

My Frozen Chore Time

The Faucet Miracle

He had put it off long enough. The chores needed to be done.

He bent, head down into the wind,

the trek to water the calves made more difficult by the bitter cold. 

He pulled his hat lower over his ears and thought to himself,

 "Will the faucet be frozen again?"

The 4-wheeler wouldn't start. The truck only growled.

But the calves needed water as much now in the deep freeze 

as on a warm summer day. 

He tried to look around, 

but the scene was gray and muted in the fading light. 

Snow laid heavily on everything, including his mind.

As he approached the faucet- a quiet prayer rose on his breath,

"Please; Dear God, let the water flow."

He turned the handle - Nothing.

Endless seconds passed. Hope stretched to the limit. 

At that very instant - a glorious sound escaped,

pushed free along with a stream of water.

A moment of overwhelming thanks swept over him. 

In silence he stood as the water filled the trough.

He noticed in those quiet moments 

that the Lord in his tender mercy had warmed his soul 

and made the water gush forth as if from a stone.

He walked home - one hand held high to block the wind, 

still blowing fiercely, threatening to freeze his face -

but this time with awe, noticing the beauty 

of the heavy snow icing everything.

Humbled again, his heart filled with gratitude for the second time.

 "He truly is a God of Wonder!"

He did this for me. 

Mark Carling

January 8, 2017

Winter Cold In the West Desert

I have been meaning to get back into blogging. I love poetry and the inspiration of living where nature calls to me. Living in the desert of western Utah is a wonderful experience. I have met wonderful, talented and resilient people. The kids in the school are amazing in ability and willingness to do what is needed to succeed. The drives are long and quiet with two hours to the nearest gas pump. My flip phone is useful here with pen and ink. I can write a note and have delivered instantly to the other teacher in the building. This is not the country's largest dead zone as there is no cell service for 50 miles.  It is alive in every real and important way. In the dead of winter we feel and hear the sounds the desert makes. There is no traffic to mask its often silent song. Come with me and experience a night of silent cold wonder.

West Desert Silence

The moon laid in winters' white blanket

drifting silently off to sleep.

Still cold air crept in and hushed my very breath.

Invisible droplets chilled to the bone - frozen in place -

protested as they thrust crystalline daggers into the air.

A miniature army standing erect on limb and wire.

Each stood as sentinel grouped ever closer in frigid clumps.

Reflected light glistened from every surface -

now shrouded in frost -

sparkling diamonds glinted and jumped to life across the ground

perfectly beautiful, dressed in intricate lace.

All quiet, I moved across the desert filled with wonder.

Nothing to interrupt my thoughts.

The peaceful cold, calm and penetrating,

yet, powerful and moving -

drew me forward, 

grateful, I pause to feel its magic.

M.P.C. January 3, 2017