Hills

Hills in my Voice 

 

Half-hidden hills in summer haze
Call my name and question me. . .

“Where have you been?”
“Why have you stayed away so long?”

Those hills are strangers to me.
I am not from there but rather here.
They seem to know me much better than I know them
I’ve only ridden over Big Hill a few times in a car.
Why, then, do they call my name?

Why is the sight of those green trees reaching
Toward the sky as familiar as the fingers
On my own hand? – Reaching.
For what I can’t name.

“Mountain folk are queer,” Mamaw always said,
But I couldn’t say for sure. They live
Tucked back in deep hollows,
Silent reflections of the hills around them.
They are as much a part of that place
As limestone and black oak.
I do not know them but I understand them.
My spirit hears the same whisper as theirs,
On the breath of a breeze, it beckons me home.

Some say God is in the trees.
Someday--
if I’m not here where I ought to be . . .

You might find me in the mountains.

 

 

Author's Note

Without the guidance of two very special writers at the cafe this poem would have never come to be. My sincere thanks to Mike and Tamara who both offered suggestions and helped me along with this one.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I'm just a hillbilly myself like Thomas Wolfe. He said, "You can't go home again." But I'm bewildered as to why anyone would want to leave. I carry my Appalachians in my heart. I carried them through the Ozarks in Arkansas and across the Rockies in Colorado. The oldest mountains in the world are more than just hills and valleys to me. They're in my blood and deep in my bones. And I wouldn't have it any other way. So, while Wolfe may have been removed from the commonality of his upbringing; the more I have been removed, the more I cling to home. Ricky Skaggs wrote a song called, Don't Get Above Your Raisin' where he tells a girl not to "high hat" him because he remembers what she used to be. That relates directly to what Wolfe said about not being able to go home again. Sure you can go home again. But don't go home and try to flaunt your education at the people you were brought up with. It's not being dishonest to grow beyond the hills and still maintain connection with your roots. I talk to mountain folks like mountain folks talk. It's not "fake" because I'm from there. But I can communicate on other levels with various people from various walks of life without intimidating them or feeling intimidated by them. That is what Rudyard Kipling meant in his poem, "If" when he wrote,
"If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;"

According to Kipling's observation that's what makes a "man" but I'd prefer to think of it as what makes us well rounded individuals capable of communicating our thoughts at various levels. That's certainly as important as being able to speak a foreign language; especially if it is the language of "home". I'm sorry if my review seems rather personal but the piece evoked thoughts and feelings in me that were very personal. I hope I can maintain the flavor of the mountains, always, in my voice.

[Emily B]

My husband feels more at home in those flat lands.

[Deep in the Woodline...]

I remember back to when we worked on this one a bit. I can't imagine I have not commented on before, but if not, I'm here again now and it's still a good read.

[Salvatore Buttaci]

Congratulations on winning the state contest!

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Well written. Congrats on your winning poem

[Collect-Eye]

I wanna do this poem justice..w/ your voice into my writing..

I've been thinking about it often..I wanna get my voice just right to go w/ yours..for the amazon song..I wanna call it "silk amazon hills" [= I'm waiting for the right time and processing..in my slow brain

my voice wasn't right for the first recording..the universe told me that--by not letting me upload it..hard to explain....you told me, too, in your own way. I don't fault you for it..I thank you.

I'm wanting to redo it properly. it's gonna have to be methodical this time..Last time i was getting my feet wet..

I decided something today..based on something someone said to me at a jam session, where i did spoken word..it has to do w/ my sock story..I'll explain later..email me.

Now: I'm interested in how the two parts in quotes go together..not asking, just saying [=

[Elijah]

Great piece about the hills it's very good.

[Gheeneil]

Hills play a significant part. They did in history. People, who belong to certain groups (eg. Militay, tribes, etc) have once come across those hills for comfort and protection from enemies (nature or fellowmen). Anyway, I like the flow---from hills to the mountain. Perhaps, the mountain will give you a clearer view of the hills. In that way, they will no longer be strangers to you. Hence, stories will be told and beauty will be best revealed in sight. This is a wonderful write. I think there is so much more to it.

[Phibby Venable]

This is excellent, Emily..i love the unknown knowing feel of the wind and mountains.
Very ingrained in the heart. I love the people as silent reflections. very beautiful work.

[mick weller]

Great piece - you observe the hills with the respect that they deserve
...the hills can be a hard place...

[Anita B Jacques]

A great write, I like it. A love story with Big Hill. An interesting subject.
I do not know them but I understand them.
My spirit hears the same whisper as theirs,
On a breath of a breeze, it beckons me home.

My favorite stanzas. Thank you for sharing, God Bless.

[Mark]

Nice write Emily.