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I am East River Mountain at dawn with fog cascading towards the valley asleep in shadow. I am silence. I watch it roll. I am patent leather leaves of Mountain Laurel. i am Cranberry Glades with woodland forests rising against the evening sky. I am Monongahela National Forest. I smell the pine. I am blue sky moving over lakes, rivers and creeks. I am Bluestone Dam and New River Gorge with winding trails, and waterfalls splashing in the forests. I am the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River. I watch me in the ripples. I am hollows, hills and hairpin curves. I am Pealed Chestnut Road with ridges and gaps cutting through the back roads. I am Rocky Gap and Pinnacle Rock. I climb the ledges. I am fiddles, guitars and banjos. I am Blue Grass music with spirited songs and hymns rising to the heavens. I am Lily of the Valley and bright in the morning sun. I get down my knees and pray. I am wonderful West Virginia wild and beautiful. I am Mountain Mama wearing chambray shirt and weathered jeans. I am back to the Bluefields where my story began. I am home. Sally O'Toole Leamon, 2010 |