~ The
Mountains Of
Tennessee ~
(Great Smoky
Mts.)
Driving to the
mountains of
Tennessee,
slowly
savoring all
the
magnificent
trees.
Stopping and
visiting old
log cabins,
where people
once lived in
harmony.
Parking the
car at the
side of the
road,
walking
carefully up
the hill,
A church and a
cemetery
perched on
top,
flowers on
graves, all
remembered
still.
The road
continued past
a working
mill,
we turned back
to visit and
buy some
cornmeal.
Water cascaded
over the
turning wooden
wheel,
crushing the
grain for food
appeal.
Watching the
grain
transformed
into ground
pieces,
gathered
together,
ready for
sale, I bought
a bag.
Corn bread
watered my
mouth as I
received my
change,
when I get
home I can
begin my
cooking jag.
The parking
lot by the
Visitor's
Center was
full,
but we managed
to find space
and off we
went.
We proceeded
to the old
settlement
house,
climbing
wooden steps
preserved, a
wonderment.
Souvenirs and
artifacts of
old exhibited,
old working
tools, books
on settlers
displayed.
Found some
postcards to
send away to
friends,
nothing to
interest me
except so much
decayed.
The highlight
of the driving
tour we were
on,
the curving
roads and
fields that
stretched
beyond.
Movement by
the side of
the road
caught our
eye,
as drivers
stopped to
look and
respond.
The deer were
crunching on
the fields of
grass,
moving closer
and closer to
the viewer's
glance.
We all held
our breath in
wondrous
excitement,
a wild
creature in
sight kept us
in a trance.
These are the
mountains of
Tennessee,
God's creation
left for all
to view.
It's old and
has seen the
test of time,
yet to
visitors it is
the new.
So venture
forth to see
the mountains,
valleys,
brooks, all
the sights.
It's another
time, people
with different
values,
God's still
there, so much
still
delights.
~*~
Joan C.
Nelson-Payne
© 2005
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