Ahead
Beckoning, inviting, encouraging
Beneath a canopy of sheltering trees
Against the resistance of the mountain
To an incomparable vista
The trail climbs
And challenges muscle, heart and lungs
And gives back
Solitude, peace, perspective
I wonder
Five thousand years ago
Who traveled through these dense woods and climbed this mountain
In search of renewal and solitude and peace
And I wonder
Five thousand years from now
If mankinds’ love for violence and fear for safety
And fascination with guns of all kinds
Will permit descendants of mine
Who will never know who I am
To exist
And walk as I am gifted to do now
On a trail
To see the world beneath my feet
And be refreshed by a canopy of sheltering trees.
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Olson Huff, MD 
Olson,
You have certainly captured the essence of hiking in the Blue Ridge and our place in the universe. It is beautiful.
Judy
Hi Judy and thanks,
It was a thoughtful and inspiring hike and the words came to me as moved along the trail.
See you soon?
Olson
How beautiful and true this is. In addition, it inspires us to conserve, respect, and preserve these beautiful mountains which surround us for future generations to enjoy. Jane
We awake to the trail of a new day. Thank you for this trail of hope for today and for the decendents to come to walk this sheltered challenging trail.
We awake to the trail of our day. You have given us the sheltering trees to protect us as we walk through the dense woods of the day to solitude and peace.
Thanks, Olson
Olson,
I thought of our Beautiful Eastern Kentucky mountains as I read this and the trail to the cemetery
where our ancestor are buried.
Love you
Louise
Thanks Louise; sorry I could not be with you today. Maybe this trail will lead us all home!
Love, olson
Olson, no mountains in western Kentucky but I wonder these same things just the same. Wonderful poem. Much love to you.
Hi Stefanie and gretings to you; you should come and hike this trail with me. It is a constant reminder of the need to care for others!
Ølson
Beautiful Olson! Thank you for sharing. Jay
Jay, enjoy your own “trail” this Labor Day and reflect on the journey we still must travel to keep our children safe.
Olson
Thank you, Olson, for this lovely gift of a poem on Labor Day morning. I read it to Mike as we sit side by side at our respective computers on the bluffs of the Missouri River where we, too, are protected by a canopy of sheltering trees. Unfortunately, we are missing the solitude, peace, perspective, reflections and incomparable vistas, which we find in New Mexico when we visit there…though not often enough.
We have so many reasons today to worry about future generations in this increasingly threatening and threatened world….who could have imagined what life would be like now just 100 years ago, and how can we predict what life will be like for the baby born today if she survives the next one hundred years? My hope and vision is that the decision-makers in our country and around the world consider the well-being and the future of children with every decision they make. It would certainly make the world a much safer and less threatening place to live. Thank you for your wisdom and thought-provoking communications. Molly
On Sun, Sep 1, 2013 at 7:25 PM, Olson Huff, MD
Molly, thanks for your kind words. We all need a trail to travel that reminds us of both our humanity and our need to consider others. Keep on hiking!!
Olson
Beautiful, friend. Jealous of your experience. Cecil
Olson, most if not all of us have wondered these but none have the skills that my friend has in converting question to words to ponder as we walk along the path. Thank you my friend for bringing us back to the wonder of how the past relates to the future. Thank you for reminding us of our responsibility to those who follow.
Jim Jones
Jim, yes. What we do today, perhaps even to a piece of trash on the roadside will affect in profound ways the future. I fear for our civilization that is so obsessed with violence. Thank you for your comments
Olson
Olson I am inspired by your words so relevant to us all on life’s journey. I will share it with families as we discuss life’s transitions. Your words are a blessing.
Tom, many thanks. We who take care of the nation’s children know full well the impact of the “Trail Well Traveled!”
Olson
Olson, You never cease to amaze me with your writing and speaking skills` that allow you to share the wise and profound thoughts in you mind. I still think that if you offered a prayer at my funeral the heavenly hosts would be so awed that my passage through the Pearly Gates would be immediate
George
Thank you George; however, lets wait a bit in those Peary Gates, OK?!
I just recently read this and noted it was posted on the day before we buried my father (Aaron Hamblin) in the (Milam) family cemetery on the top of a mountain near Krypton, KY. I believe you know the area. I believe my dad would have enjoyed this poem because of it’s content and because it was written by you. Although I’ve never met you I’ve heard many stories from my dad and know he respected you very much. I am glad I stumbled upon this blog and this poem. God Bless.
Hello, Dawn and nice to connect with you; your dad was a wonderful man and one with a generous spirit. We kept in touch through the years, remembering our beginnings in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and the heritage of our pioneer ancestors. I am sorry I was not able to attend your dad’s funeral but my brother Lloyd and his wife were there.
Best to you and keep me posted on what you are doing!
Olson
Dear Olson: I write on behalf of the Biblical Perspectives Sunday School Class of Black Moutain Presbyterian Church to invite you to give us a presentation on “What Is Happening
On Sun, Sep 1, 2013 at 8:25 PM, Olson Huff, MD
John, thank you.
Olson