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RETROSPECT Bonny Nielson Manti, Utah Non-Professional Division Honorable Mention #1 Poetry Late afternoon had spread its glow Of sunlight teased by shadow, Fresh mountain air, my friend near-by, Our silhouettes against grey sky. Intruding in my silent spell, My friend spoke softly, "Tell, please tell, As you look o'er this valley, just what do you see? Your expression is puzzling - so please, do tell me." The words exploded in a cool, musky breeze, A magpie echoed above bent pine trees. My thoughts ran wild, how could I tell A vision past, still witnessed so well. I see Fort Ephraim rise and grow, Black Hawk's warriors in battle below, Our fathers tilling foreign soil, A temple built through faith and toil. I see proud men, spirited, yet aged, A tired mother bury her young babe, Disease and hardships take their toll, Along with happy memories relived in each soul. I turned and looked in shallow eyes, A scholarly man, experienced and wise, Yet a stranger to my own Sanpete home, My message, to him could not be known. My heart pulsed wild, the truth held no sense, But my voice came soft; it held reverence, "I see a valley, a setting sun, And ending day - an era still to come." My friend was silent, my words he pondered, Our eyes surveyed the land I'd wandered, I saw my pioneer fathers... I marveled, I cried. He saw a setting sun ... he smiled, seemed satisfied. -13- |
