Jack R. Quinn

Spokane, Washington, USA

Jack is a native of the Idaho panhandle. He worked in all phases of the logging and lumber manufacturing for about half his life. The other half he spent as an administrator at a university. His first volume of poetry was "My Yesterdays". Followed by an edited collection, "The best of the Unknown". His current effort is an anthology of his, and other peoples lives in the woods. He writes, carves woods and is a student of ancient history. He is old enough! He and his wife of 54 years live an active life. Travel, volunteering, et all.Where my heart is: "The Mountain Man".Where my mind is: "One Hand Clapping".Where I am: At home and in peace with the world.

The Mountain Man

He raised his eyes to the wintry skies,
And watched the northern lights.
He walked a guardian route on a frozen night,
And was guided home by the North Star's light.
For many years this guardian reigned,
Over man and beast in his domain.
Then came that time of year,
When all the land said, "Spring is here".
With the flowers and the fawns, a stranger came,
They talked of how it was different and yet the same.
They talked of country close and far,
And what's not to be, but things as they are.
They wandered through the valleys and over the hills,
And heard the wisdom that silence instills.
Then the sun's warm golden rays,
Brought forth the heat of long summer days.
High on the ridges where the trees grow tall,
Where the autumn colors brighten up the fall.
You can hear the busy clamor of the waterfall,
And the clarion tones of the bull elk's call.
Then the winter solstice brings again the snow,
And Ursa Major is there in the stellar show.
Over the lands the arctic winds do blow,
And the guardian keeps his vigil there below.

One Hand Clapping

You can make the sound of two hands clapping.
Now what is the sound of one hand clapping?
The sound of one hand clapping is:
A firm grip of friendship.
A pat of comfort.
The caress of love and caring.
The wave of greeting and goodbye.
A nervous drumming.
A hand wiping away tears of remorse and happiness.
A helping grasp.
A blessing of the newborn, a prayer for the dead.
An act of giving.
A feeling where life is.