Glen Nevis--Lochaber, Scotland

Majestic, barren, rock-cropped braes ascend— Arrayed, green-clad, in heather, gorse, and fern— As mid-day, misty, dark’ning clouds descend To cold-embrace each soaring tor and burn. From heights unseen a torrent cascades free, Unfettered into deep Ben Nevis’ glen; Then onwards toward Loch Linnhe and the sea, Through sodden bog and brackened, stone-strewn fen. Though hidden from the eyes of those below, Ben Nevis’ surly brow is sought and found By those who brave the rain, the sleet, and snow, To scale the cairn that marks its highest ground. And there, amidst the cloud, God reaches down To touch and bless fair Scotland’s Highland crown. brae=steep hillside tor=rocky peak burn=hillside stream This sonnet is one of a set of five sonnets written while traveling through Ireland and Scotland in June 2019. This sonnet was inspired by my climb to the snowy summit of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. The poem is included in my book, "Mostly Sonnets," published by Dunecrest Press and available for sale on Amazon.com.