National Adult Literacy Database

October 4, 1999

This story was written by Keith Snow, from Newfoundland. Keith is 29 years old. For some time, he lived and worked in British Columbia, and it was while he was living in BC that he was inspired to write this poem. In BC there was a place where he would go to relax and write. One day Keith went to this place and saw a sign saying that the land was going to be developed into apartment buildings. This really hurt him for this was a place to relax for him and many others would enjoy walking and having picnics.

Nature

by Keith Snow

High among the mountains, where fir
and balsam thrive,
the white-tail and the mule deer
struggle to survive.
Ground squirrels, tiny chipmunks
and marmots, soft and warm,
run about and chatter on a cool
fresh sunny morn.
Blue jays, finches and little chickadees
sing with gracefulness
in bushes and trees.
Pecking loudly a woodpecker leans sideways
to see the
Hawks and eagles soar above the land.
White capped mountains contrast against
bright clear skies and above a blue-tailed grouse
flies alone.
Flowers blossom everywhere; they add to
the wondrous sight of the valley mist
from the rivers below.
Air so clean it cleanses the soul and
sharpens all ones senses.
There are no concrete or asphalt jungles here.
God and nature hand-in-hand intrusted us with these
treasures to enjoy with all our strength
so they may last forever.