At the summit,
this mountain chapel
fills with light,
like Noah's Ark,
as clear as the mountain air,
as clean as the water.
The faithful come up
from the hidden valleys,
breathing in the incense
of Appalachian spruce,
raising their voices
until they echo across the ridges.
Sunday mornings,
the world seems far away
and the voice of the Good Shepherd
speaks of peace and forgiveness.
All around the clearing,
wild Rhododendron
in a white blaze of transfiguration,
reveals the glory of the resurrection.
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Author Notes
This is the last part of my Appalachian Elegy. I wanted it to be an uplifting piece, full of images of song and blooming flower, a wide open sky and clear mountain streams. An image of peace and forgiveness, of transfiguration and resurrection. It's in a simple style, in a simple, clear language. I hope it serves as a good conclusion to this series on the mountains, a place you find at the end of your climb, close to heaven, within ear shot of God. I'm dedicating this one to Royowen, who has done so many religious pieces here on Fanstory over the years. estory
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