America's Mountain (Pike's Peak)

Pike's Peak
Originally uploaded by hombreciego.

America’s Mountain (Pike’s Peak)

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
Swirling voices echo in the canyon winds.
Ghosts of gold-seekers, pioneers, heading west
Cry “Pike’s Peak or bust”!

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
Clacking flat cars transport over glacial gorges
Armament for infantry; tanks, thirsty camels
On rails towards war

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
Young men and women ready for battle
Consume final meals, like death-row inmates
Silent and thoughtful

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
A father mulls, meditates the pending days
Quietly watches as his soldier-son soothes
Saddened small daughters

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
A grandfather remembers bygone war days
Beneath Marble, Da Nang’s Asian mountain
A chilling nightmare

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
Awaits the soldier’s wife, frozen in time for
News that comforts eases her purgatory,
Stills loneliness, fear

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
Lies Cheyenne Mountain, America’s Watchtower
Vast and vigilant, a massive palace guard
Impenetrable

Under the shadow of America’s mountain
War and peace, hope and despair, a microcosm
Of suffering resides, yearning for freedom's
Pure mountain breezes
Kbris 2005