The exposed Sierran batholith
bares itself in all directions.
Treeless, lifeless, it recalls
a primordial earth
and time before meaning.
I hike upon its surface
to find purpose –
a midlife reckoning.
The granite is smooth
and direction difficult.
Cairns appear occasionally,
though many dissolve
into exfoliating granite.
Most find trees and rivers
to be a warmer womb
and source for solace.
But the clutter
of Nature obscures.
Not its presence but
its absence is where
I find myself.
Absence is the granite
that creates presence,
and casts the shadows
shielding us from
the scorching Sierran sun.
SPEECH IMPEDIMENT JOB-SEEKER
An aged respondent called Smith
Answered the newspaper job-list herewith
“Man wanted as geologist
Great skill at digging out schist
And now and again a large batholith.”
But this geologic skill was a myth.
Because like rock-hound kin and kith
They just wanted a man,
Not the lisping old gran
That they thaw when she gave them a kith.
GEOLOGICAL HUMOUR
A geologist respondent called Smith
Answered the newspaper job-list herewith
“Man wanted as a field geologist” with
Great skill at at finding a batholith
Or sometimes an occasional laccolith.
But his geologic skill was only a myth.
Unlike my geologic kin and kith,
Instead of being a man, she wath a mith -
Ath I dithcovered when she gave me a kith.
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