At the Crest of the Falls

Reflections on recent visit to Athabasca Falls, Alberta

From glacial source

They come here again

The waters of Athabasca

And race across the final rocky

Stretch before pitching headlong.

Backdrop of conifer

And ashen peak;

The same sight thrilling

Wanderers of frontier times.

Multi-layered descent

Crashing froth carving

Awesome step-ladder.

Subtract the noise, colour of visitors.

You have a sound and sight

A movement

Fixed forever, never varying

Indomitable constancy

Like the God

Of the mountains Himself.

 

 

He smiles as the little

Oriental woman asks me

To snap her picture

In the rough-hewn stairway.

Smell of spruce and spray

Piquing our delight

And happy coincidence

This brilliant September day.

Author's Note

Lord, keep this place unspoiled. People drop by and COME INTO AGREEMENT about God's good handiwork...Doug Blair