Lessons from the summit of Springer Mountain

There is a large piece of rock
Uncovered on the western face
Of Springer Mountain
And there is a plaque
Imbedded there in the rock
Which informs you
That this is the beginning
Or the end, depending on
Where you started,
Of the Appalachian Trail.
And cut into the rockface
Was placed a metal box
With a spiral bound notebook and pen
To enable you to record
Your thoughts of the moment.

One might expect
Stone tablets
With the laws of God,
Or the airy visions
Caught from the clouds whirling around one's head,
Or the kind of substance
And sublime subtlety
One ought to collect
From the summit of such a place.

But, when offered the opportunity
To reflect the lessons
Learned at the finish of such a climb
So many of us have just dashed off 'hello'
Or 'nice view'
Or 'Class of 95 rocks!"
And continued on the trail
Down from the summit.

Perhaps this is why
The Israelites expected so little
When Moses, glowing mightily
With the reflection and word
From God himself
Came down from his mountaintop.