A House in the Wood

 

 

 

A House in the Wood

 

 

Driving up and yonder into the Mendocino mountains with my brother Zane.

For several days I have been down and out with a nasty cold, not fun at all since I am home for a visit. Bundled up, I dared to step outside after laying low for over a week: A ride into the nearby mountains. My brother Zane has a cabin by Black Mountain, he knows the unbeaten path or dirt roads the weave deep into the heart of wonder.

We rode.

We spoke with a range of emotion as rocky and rolling as the mountains before us, a year apart holds a great deal to talk about. The vistas appeared around the bend, giving perspective, celebrating wondrous landscape.

Driving the mountain's back road is such a pleasure.

Unwinding, with a silence that comes with nature that speaks clearly.

Strong,

Grandiose yet unpretentious. 

inviting healing.

 

 

 

 

 

A House in the Wood

 

 

 

We stopped briefly at my brother's cabin, had a drink, ate an apple and set off.

 

 

 

 

A House in the Wood

 

Memories of years riding with my dad and Chelsea through these mountains came back. I recalled them, held them, thanking them… and happily carved the day into the tree trunk of my being. 

 

 

A House in the Wood

A House in the Wood

 

Someday a mountain

© Kaerlek Janislampi
i'm going to be a mountain someday 
and just stand all the time 
stalwart and mighty 
collecting crystal s from heaven 
and dispersing them ever so gently 
kindly and impartially 
to thirsty fields below 

i will rise to alpine stature 
i will be a mountain 
firm and ever a humble beacon 
a lofty rising peak 
that calls to the brave and strong 
urging all yearnings 
to look up 
to arise 
and stop determined storms 
and be a rocky sanctuary 
more than a point of reference 
above the din of banality 
and hostile indifference 
loving in the purity 
of nearness to God 

crowned in white that holds all color 
fed by the groanings of the earth 
standing, always standing 
yes, i'm going to be a mountain 
someday 
for this 
i rise up

 

Source: Someday a mountain, Mountain Poems http://www.poetryinnature.com/nature/poetry.asp?poem=5428#ixzz3JZqANhwE 
www.PoetryInNature.com 

 

 

 



Comments

11 responses to “A House in the Wood”

  1. Irene Thomas

    Hope you are feeling well soon, Corey. My husband’s family have gone for generations to Thoms Creek in the Mendocino Forest. We camped sleeping on the ground one night near the water and during the night a herd of cattle walked among us, a rare experience. Memories of trout for breakfast, bears, rattlesnakes…a really wild place, filled with beauty.

  2. You have such a gift for storytelling, Corey. What a treasure that you share so openly with all of us.

  3. Beautiful! Get well soon. Thank you for the great poem.

  4. jend’isère

    His name means love in a few Scandivian languages.

  5. Corey, what a beautiful area, love the trees and the serenity. I hope you feel better soon!

  6. OH C I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THIS COLD….but at least your mom is there to care for you-and make you feel better in spirit until the body catches up-this is a lovely experience the drive the stories the memories and the simple joy of the apple-leading to the newest memory for your quiver full-I LOVE CAR RIDES JUST FOR THIS REASON-and most importantly I hope you are better soon!

  7. Oh Corey, you’re making me so homesick for my maternal grandparents’ place in Mendocino County, where we used to go visit them several times a year. The scenery there is just breathtaking, and I miss it so.

  8. freefalling

    “carved the day into the tree trunk of my being”
    you always have such interesting turns of phrases.

  9. Lana Kloch

    so glad you got out and also spent time with your brother zane. what memories reappeared on your trails.
    what never ceases to amaze me is how you link your stories to authors, artists and other amazing people.. you are so well read.. where do you find the time to live such a rich life and read and soak up so much.
    you are a true mentor to many of us..
    love you

  10. Corey, I’ve been seeing ads for a new reality tv show that follows five women in a convent, going through the process of becoming nuns. It’s called “The Sisterhood.” Thought you’d find this interesting. Here’s the article:
    http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/24/lifetime-the-sisterhood/

  11. definitely “nearness to God” right here and etched in your memories too.

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