Marmot Mountain/Clark Halls

I have seen moss cradle rock,
And shift towards the sun's gaze.
I have seen trees rise and fall,
And submit to the haze.

I remove earth
And in it take refuge.
My shield from hawk and wind.
I breathe thin air
And exhale life.
Upon this rock I depend.

At times when water is wet,
And warmth bakes into the soil.
Great creatures roam
And traipse my home.
Their hands bleed sadness and toil.

Their fur is smooth 
And their hooves are heavy,
They sing a foreign song.
They build their dens
And comb the trees
With limbs upright and long.

They strike dead bark,
Bring light to dark,
And gather around this sun.
They chirp and spin,
At times embrace,
And on face, bear a grin.

In their rare presence,
I reap from them presents.
A treat neither locked nor sealed.
They heat the gift,
I must be swift.
I prefer a nice hot meal.

---

Clark Halls, a biology and communication major, takes great interest and inspiration in the beauty of nature. Intertwined with environmental scenery and ideas regarding the clash between mankind and Mother Nature, this poem was written in a spontaneous manner so as to capture the wide range of emotions one may experience from one moment to another. When not admiring the bright foliage and running waters of campus, Clark is at home traversing the forests outside of Chicago, Illinois.