Canyon Sunrise (Poem)

Darkness engulfs the shadows of life
unseen just before dawn
- Motionless -
gasping with anticipation,
the first flutter of light,
to subdue night’s pow’r
won without challenge,
held without fight
before the earliest gleam is exposed
revealing outlines of terrain soon disclosed

A faint blue-white sheen fills the sky
giving first glimpse of what is to come
as squirrels and chipmunks rise to attention
then scurry away to places unknown
hidden from sight
while birds sing a sweet, heavenly tune

- Dawn’s birth unveiled -

Suddenly, it begins on the east rim -
a sprinkle of sunlight
- orange and yellow sparkles on sand -
streaks of gold feathers paint stone walls
carved by One greater than we
as light brushes the paths
of the switchbacks beneath

Forcefully, Heaven’s resplendent daystar
bursts into a resistant sky -
illuminating the majesty of this masterpiece -
showering the Canyon
with pearls of kaleidoscopic beams
- bathing - transforming this work of art
right before my eyes -

Then it’s done - over - complete -
until, once more, it begins
giving breath to a new day

Copyright © 2001, Kimberly Lovell, all rights reserved

(Permission to reprint required)

Note: This poem was written over a period of years based on my own trips to the Grand Canyon and inspired by Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite.