Solstice 12/21/06

Students left Wednesday for home--
or for adventures known or unknown.
They’ve earned and left marks, most good!
as yet another year closes its books.
But the mountains don’t change,
and the college remains.

Winter solstice comes later tonight,
Marked by stones, and a party off site.
(There’s another tomorrow—friendly place, this)
Soon light will return, the dark days not missed.
But the mountains don’t change,
and the college remains.

Semester busy-ness consumed the place.
Action Plans went forward, with others erased.
Good people took ill, got better, lost, won.
I felt numb at times though here only months.
But the mountains don’t change,
and the college remains

Many trails walked and run, more today in rain.
I’m not Thoreau, though either was he (recall the train?)
Cans, roof tops, and foamed sand are reminders
That some move through our river with blinders.
But the mountains don’t change,
and the college remains.

Half year now in a place of special intent.
(They said it would be so, but I knew little back then.)
It proved different enough such that this day,
I chanced using words in a different way.
But don’t worry the mountains won’t change,
and YES the college remains.

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I do marvel at this special college in the mountains. Thanks for making Ev and me feel at home here—and, yes, even comfortable enough for me to write bad poetry.

Have a great holiday and year ahead.

Sandy Pfeiffer