The road to Mariposa grove

The road to Mariposa grove, closed early due to Fall snow,
makes a great path for a Thanksgiving Day walk.
It is early enough for me to be the first one down this road.
And I stand alone among the giants in the Mariposa grove.
The ranger station closed, the parking lot deserted,
the only sound is the snow falling off upper branches.
The pay phone outside the visitor's center offers a dial tone
when I lift the receiver. I dial my mother to wish her holiday best
from the place that I give most thanks to be.
The dull pulse of the phone adds noise
to the quiet of the forest.
I listen for a connection.
Another heavy patch of snow
tumbles down a giant sequoia. 

Copyright 1995 by Marc Petrie