Near Forest Service cabins small

I walked below along the creek

To spy the swim holes stone stacked walls

Where divers jumped & children leaped…

Couldn't sleep, my mind was racing

Came down stairs to write my thoughts

Warmed some coffee, turned a lamp on

Pad in hand I picked my spot…

The grass near the pond edge a deep hunter green

As trees with bright colors give Autumn it’s scene

I stand at this small Park so blessed to be here

To see Autumn’s change as cold weather draws near…

I’m sitting on the old back porch

It’s wood roof shelters me

A painted Adirondack chair

And bench to rest my feet…

Golden oak leaves filled with light

Bear remnants of the color green

Just days before bent branches full

Gave this Resort a different scene…

I stop to stretch at Keddie Lodge

And catch lunch at the old Café’

Up rounded stone steps towards the door

It’s Fir porch from another day…

High on a ledge above the creek

Below the Park and Keddie Peak

Green Trestle Bridge just to the right

Your curved stacked stone wall stands so high…

I rode my bike across the bridge

Above the Spanish Creek

The road cut many years ago

Its rock walls stacked so neat…

Vision of a simple life

Free from the chaos caused by strife towards perfection

Lost, the passion for more

Enticed instead by minimalist persuasions…

Time constrained I stagger forward

Too much in my busy life

Everything that lies before me

Holds within its share of strife…

Hero sitting at the airport

No one knows what you have done

Fallen brothers lost in battle

Know you are the lucky one…

The little boy waves as he walks on the plane

As Grandparents, moms and dads give him a smile

His tall slender mom you can tell she enjoys

Her small little man who’ll be hers for a while…

The Pond at Keddie Park is long

It’s spillway from a time that’s past

Rock walls through decades still stand strong

As masons built this place to last…

I’d spent time at Lake Almanor

Today was mine to go explore

I drove down Highway 89

Through small towns does this Highway wind…

I sit beneath the tall umbrella in my rocking chair

On weathered wood footstool I’ll rest my feet

Large terracotta pots hold colored flowers warm and

bright

As sunset cools the fire of summer’s heat…

Sitting neath’ the pines, looking up towards the sky

How large they were then, from a young boys eyes

Still their beauty and wonder amaze me today

As I sit neath’ their shade, letting years melt away…

This morning I went for a walk

Through old town Venice towards the square

I heard a lonesome Cello play

Toughed deep my heart felt like morning prayers…

I look out from our living room

As floorboards creak up overhead

My wife’s upstairs and I can tell

That she has just got out of bed…

Raging river freely flowing

Rumbling through this great divide

Humbled by your awesome power

As you leave this mountain side…

Holding hands beneath my pillow

Gives me comfort through the night

Just the simple touch we share

Let’s me know things will be all right…