Four Elements in North Carolina Mountains

Four Elements in the NC Mountains Mini-Term 2015

Brendan Geideman, Lakin Cahill, Kunal Lodaya, Emily Greenwood, Amanda Hsiao, Mackenzie Harrison, Lauren Gilbert, Catherine Ryu, Colette Cambey, Trey Duvall, and Kat Fenske Sponsors: Liz Peeples and Ben Robinson

Lauren Gilbert

Trey Duvall

Emily Greenwood

Amanda Hsiao Ben Robinson Kat Fenske Liz Peeples Brendan Geideman Kunal Lodaya Catherine Ryu

Lakin Cahill

Mackenzie Harrison

Colette Cambey

Fallen Guardian by Brendan Geideman

Fallen Guardian

by Brendan Geideman Lying across the lane Damaged and disgraced A fallen fellow Guards the ground no longer Once it stood- tall, thick, and strong With generous green canopy Shielding sorrowful souls From sapping snow and sleet At last, it lies Upon its own rotten rug Redemption reaped on its dying bed As it anoints the next supple soldiers

A Slippery Slope

by Colette Cambey

Bear Wallow Mountain by Mackenzie Harrison

After a long, muddy car ride and several potentially deathly turns, we reached the base of our hike.

Queasiness overcame me; I stumbled to tie my hiking shoes, dread filled me from head to toe.

My head was spinning, my feet began to slip, I shed layers of clothes as my body began to overheat.

I turned a corner, and ahead lay the summit and I felt a burst of energy.

A sense of freedom filled my soul as I gazed upon the countryside, I could feel the air around me.

It was beautiful.

Air, or the Absence Of by Mackenzie Harrison

Love is a Battlefield by Brendan Geideman

I was seven years old, swinging my legs and inspecting my knee scrapes, Waiting for the shots that happened like clockwork.

But for whatever godless reason the clock started running backwards And I couldn’t breathe anymore.

It’s a distant memory, since children are famous for the elasticity of their minds.

Apparently, however, elasticity doesn’t extend to the lungs.

The minute taking a breath became a chore Lasted an hour, and then perhaps several years.

Or maybe not, I was seven.

They talked about air in school and the word got tossed around And the whole concept seemed pretty simple to me.

But they say you don’t miss something until it’s gone, And I guess they’re right.

And Don’t Forget to Look to the Skies

by Lauren Gilbert When the turbulent winds cause distress, Watch the clouds travel by.

When the raging storm comes to an end, See the rainbow span the horizon.

When the hardest day is over, Greet the brilliant moon and stars.

When the darkest nights end, Bathe in the sunrise.

When everything seems to bind,, Be filled with joy and peace,

Skeletons or Trees? by Colette Cambey

And don’t forget to look to the skies.

Be Still by Lauren Gilbert Be still!

Says the murmur of the creek, And the croak of the frog Be still!

Says the snap of the tree, And the growl of the wolf Says the clap of the thunder, And the cry of the night Be still!

Says the patter of the rain, And the rustle of the leaves Says the crackles of the fire, And the whispers of the night Says the twinkle of the stars, And the smile of the moon

The Trial by Emily Greenwood

Be still!

Says your heart, And listen for my desires

View by Lakin Cahill

Questions of the Clouds

by Brendan Geideman

The Horizon by Emily Greenwood

Curious, clouds Are they cold?

Are they crispy?

Are they made of cookies?

So high above they float Up, up, up So close they seem I could almost reach out and grasp them Grasp it?

Have I grasped it?

As soon as it is mine it is gone I know no more and know no less than before Yet I’ve reached the clouds, But I do not feel satisfied Farther‌farther, farther, farther I must push above the clouds Push above the clouds Above the sky Above space Reach for the stars and keep on going

Blue Skies by Amanda Hsiao

Infinite Lands by Emily Greenwood The infinite lands fill the view, mountains rolling one beyond one.

Blue skies, white clouds breathe in the fresh air nothing is more perfect for your soul.

Trail Guides by Catherine Ryu

Each Day’s Inventions

by Emily Greenwood Because of the breathing of the wind, the murmuring of the creek, the roaring of the rapids, the rustle of the leaves, and the song of the birds, I become so in love with each day’s inventions.

3 Stories by Colette Cambey A treacherous slope muddy footing and slippery roots A waterfall, 3 stories high neverending. running, splashing, cleaning my hands A slip, some dirt, and shouts appeared in front of me. aplenty fear, adrenaline, filled my soul.

A breath of relief rocks and boulders cold running water appeared.

Be Careful, Kat by Colette Cambey

A sense of sublimity, the power and danger of one false move, filled my soul and took my breath away.

An indescribable feeling, a feeling of wonder, amazement, reminds me that “I am so wildly in love with each day’s inventions.”

Tree Leaves by Catherine Ryu

Earth by Mackenzie Harrison Dead and living things Mixed, a simple recipe Earth, the first frontier

Falls from Above by Brendan Geideman

Falling

by Brendan Geideman Which falls faster?

Girl Or Water?

Water falls with force Water leaps over rock Water jumps not by choice But water falls forever

Girl falls with intent Girl leaps with certainty Which falls faster?

Girl jumps from high to low Girl falls once But girl only falls once Water falls forever But Girl gets up And up And up Girl endures Water submits

Fire by Emily Greenwood The soft glow of the radiating heat deep below is burning the tips of my feet fire is a dangerous thing, hidden beneath its beauty.

When the flames first calmly sang, appreciation became our duty.

Trees by Amanda Hsiao

Little Bradley Falls by Mackenzie Harrison

Hidden Rapids by Brendan Geideman

The Falls by Emily Greenwood Roaring of rocks, The white rapids falling effortlessly Down the depths of the river Silently screaming Of the ever present dangers

Forks by Lauren Gilbert

I lied when the first person asked if I was alright. I wanted to believe the pain would pass. And it did, so I tried to retrace my path down the waterfall without telling anyone.

I hadn’t made much progress and was still very high up when gravity forced me down, down, down. It was all I could do to keep my failed leg from getting more injured. Rocks, leaves and mud followed me on my wild ride. I couldn’t stop. My properly working arms and leg were of no use. There was the edge, I could see water falling from the wall of stone adjacent to it and knew that a similarly solid floor awaited me too many feet below.

I understood the danger and I was worried, but not scared. I did not panic, yell, or flail. I slid uncontrollably, but calmly, down towards the end of my ride and waited. I can still recall the clarity of mind I had when I saw that dark exposed root bent up just like a handle. I waited, and then I reached out. I saw its position in my mind’s eye as I passed it and then snagged it at the last but perfect second.

Later, my one dependable leg refused to hop any further so my two heroes swung me up and proceeded to carry me. I was so embarrassed but so grateful.

Every individual person was extraordinary and better than any group I could have thought of to ask for.

This experience was perversely fun and it will not end my desire to climb mountains or explore waterfalls but I will remember the importance of having others with me who I can depend on.

I was bruised, broken, and dirty but I was excited and oddly happy. I had proven something to myself and I had just found wonderful and dependable friends.

Thank You, All of You by Kat Fenske

Down by the River by Kat Fenske

History by Amanda Hsiao The first boy I dated carved our initials into the tree behind his house When we broke up, two weeks later, I came back and scratched at it ‘til mine weren’t legible anymore It was three years ago, I don’t care, not really, but It is fascinating like this, how that damn tree won’t forget, How the earth’s always gonna know about my first high school boyfriend How lame.

There’s a portrait of my great-grandmother in my aunt’s house, In all of her long-haired glory, And there are faces of presidents, Carved into rocks in South Dakota, And there are pyramids, built thousands of years ago, All clay and brick and stone, And all of it is beautiful and sacred, And the work of humans over twenty years, like we’ve taken it upon ourselves To make sure these things, Trivial like a two week relationship, Or significant, like the oldest standing wonder of the world, Are imprinted upon the earth.

What’s nice about it is that we truly are immortalized, Even after we die, Like the pyramids, like Mount Rushmore, Like the portrait of her, like the tree in his backyard Like the earth, spinning for as long as we’re alive.

Goodbye Goats by Colette Cambey Looking around, not a known face in sight.

Gravel, dirt, a warm breeze, surrounding me as I climbed.

We passed a sign labeled “Big Glassy Trail� and before us appeared smooth, open rocks.

Feeling strong and awesome, Trey and I took the lead.

A whisper of other hikers questioning our speed.

The path became steep, our breath became short.

goat goat goat by Mackenzie Harrison

Bleating, smelly goats behind us, we began the climb.

Not believing we had reached the top, we tried to find another path.

Only to see, a man relieving himself.

Sweat dripped from my neck, and my hands became sticky.

As we turned around, known faces appeared.

Immersed in conversation, Trey and I lost track of time.

The breeze picked up and we knew we were here.

On the Rocks

by Kunal Lodaya

Fire by Mackenzie Harrison These flames devour and blithely show How objects smolder, burn and fall Into dust and ashes soft like snow, What once was mighty now made small.

Flames to ashes and water to wine Ashes to soil and wine to flesh.

Then back again, back again, back again twine To dust, to flames, to burn afresh.

Earth loves cycles, love circles, returns To starts, to ends, but everything burns.

I went to the mountains by Catherine Ryu I went to the mountains to see nature, but I did not see a bear or squirrels, owls, and deer.

I did not see the trees, or caverns, rocks and falls.

I saw the boldness of a girl who jumped on icy ledges; I saw the selflessness of two friends who carried an injured companion.

I saw someone overcome horror movies, I saw heads leaned against shoulders in weariness.

I saw the delight of home cooked meals, I saw laughter and comfort.

I saw history and content goats, I saw bags crammed in all nooks of a van.

I went to the mountains to see nature and instead I saw poetry.

Carl Sandburg House by Mackenzie Harrison

Knowledge by Kunal Lodaya Staring into the water, I consider The sea must know more than any of us.

The eons it has passed, Witnessing the steady march of life Life; From fish, to dinosaurs, To us An unsteady march, Halted by ice ages and meteors, Plagues and earthquakes, Life limps forward While the river flows in parallel, swift and steady As it passes, listen closely; The river laughs, as it cascades over the ground, At our triumphs and our follies At the cycle of our lives It basks in its immortal state

Lost River by Lakin Cahill For what is a river, But a scar on the land?

Grooved out over the work of centuries.

Does a river even know The purpose that it serves?

From rushing water to seeming stillness, With each winding twist and turn, Their confusion knows no bounds.

Because the sadness of rivers is their aimlessness.

Books and Stuff by Brendan Geideman

Nature’s Madness by Lakin Cahill Nothing in this life Is so graceful Or so mad As a waterfall.

Constant churning, Endless roaring,

Terror in the Night

by Brendan Geideman Creepy music builds Screams amount and tears are shed Quick comfort given

A waterfall is nature’s madness.

Carl Sandburg by Trey Duvall

Carl Sandburg by Trey Duvall Inspiration everywhere The home of a legend What an honor To step in his shoes We can only imagine Him sitting, standing, watching The water The mountains The air He then goes to work Writing, writing, then writing some more Classics arise from the beauty that we experienced And we can only imagine

House of Inspiration by Catherine Ryu

The Boiling Point of Water is 212°F by Amanda Hsiao {The boiling point of water is 212°F, At this point, condensed H2O (l) Is physically transformed into water vapor.} {Distilled water is obtained by heating water through a tube, Transporting the steam to a different container, And collecting the water there, absent of impurities.} |In a different form, evaporated water droplets and suspended ice particles May be referred to as fog.| |Alternatively, a low-lying cloud of sorts.| Present day, I boil a pot of water for a bowl of ramen, Watching the water turn into steam [all I have to say about it is] “goodbye, water, you will be mist”

Goober Peas by Lauren Gilbert

Slipping by Kunal Lodaya What do you do when you can’t trust your feet?

Every step a high-stakes lottery on this mud-andice Slip N’ Slide, The ground pulling out beneath you like a trapdoor; Leaving you to tumble, Grabbing frantically, at anything A tree trunk, the steadfast bastion of the forest; A sly branch, breaking at the touch; You plunge down, Faster Branches scraping, raking their claws, Rocks underneath you, bringing sharp little pains You consider the end Of this gruesome amusement park ride; When will you fly off the rails?

But just as it begins, it’s over with a crash You lie there for a moment Bruised, bleeding, Ice chilling your toes And you give a shout of sheer jubilation, Surge to your feet, Continue the climb Why? You search for that crystallized moment; You had felt it, if only for an instant, Alive.

Whatever Nature Is

by Catherine Ryu Whatever it is I am saying, I always need a leaf or a flower, if not an entire field.

To be in a cloud or the tops of rocky hills, I need to feel, to hold to surround myself with whatever it is that makes nature what it is.

Fallen Leaves by Kunal Lodaya

The Deserters by Kunal Lodaya The men clad in soldiers’ uniforms emerged from the forest, panting, their faces drawn and haggard with days-old beard growth. Looking up, they saw the mountain in front of them, seeming to stretch into the clouds. At the head of the group, their leader’s shoulders sagged, and he closed his eyes as exhaustion struck his limbs. This obstacle was insurmountable; there was no way that they would avoid capture. Nevertheless, they started forward, jogging wearily towards the looming cliff. “Captain!” came the excited shout from a man near the back, “To the right!”

Glancing over to the side, the leader glimpsed the mouth of a cave, stretching into the darkness of the mountain’s depths. At his signal, the company wheeled about, surging towards the opening with renewed hope. The twilight swiftly dwindled into blackness as they waded through the knee-deep waters at the entrance. Swiftly lighting a lantern at his belt, the captain illuminated the space in front of them, revealing a small beach, golden sand glowing. “Light a fire,” he ordered, grinning.

“If they want to take us out of here, we’ll give them a fight they won’t forget”.

Greenery by Amanda Hsiao

The mountain experience

by Catherine Ryu if only everyone could run their hands through an icy mountain stream and laugh or find themselves muddy all over because the root they were holding onto broke. if only everyone could sprawl across the warm rocks of the mountain top or walk a worn trail and feel the hundreds of previous steps. if only everyone could have companionship, always knowing there's a hand to help you up, like I have on mountains.

Glassy Mountain by Emily Greenwood

Horizon by Amanda Hsiao John Muir said that when one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.

When the earth pulls at the sky, it forms a horizon When horizon breaks the sun it looks like fire Over foggy clouds and windy land Like air and earth intersecting on a sunset, Like warm-colored sky and hard ground meeting in the middle, And something really beautiful, A creation of the earth and the sky And boundless terrain and beautiful fiery sun

Questions of the Clouds by Brendan Geideman

The Mountain’s Silence

by Lakin Cahill Silence never truly falls in the mountains, They don’t keep still.

A gentle breeze, The rustling of the trees, The crunch of dead leaves, Beneath our feet, Each step echoing ever so slightly.

The crackling of a fire, The rushing of a river, The roaring of a waterfall.

Everything leaving its mark on the land.

water reflects things wOw by Mackenzie Harrison

The Peak by Lauren Gilbert At the highest peak she stood, distant gaze passing over the horizon, howling wind swept at locks of hair, dry leaves swirling around her figure, growing in the warmth of the sun,

The Edge by Lakin Cahill

blending into the surroundings, losing all personal identity, melting into the elements, swaying clarity which blindly echoes, and the wind cushioning the fall.

best writing spot by Ms. Peeples

To the Top by Kunal Lodaya You set off, spirits high, Creeks burbling by, With emerald leaves glimmering overhead But soon, growing tired, You wish for a fire To lie by, a warm crackling bed The rising path stretches You trip over rocky ledges Muscles burning, you remember what they said “Put one foot in front of the other, Persevere, and don’t bother Turning back: quitting is for the dead So you push forward with a sigh And reach the top, lift your hands high Peer out and realize, “I should have brought a sled”

It’s supposed to be raining by Colette Cambey

Trailblazing by Trey Duvall We push up the mountain Only to find more and more trail A trail made of rocks Manmade and controlled by humans Who are we to control nature?

The untouched beauty that lies within It has done nothing to deserve this Except be there for us Forever “The sea knows more about them than they know about themselves�

We treat nature as if it is below us But in actuality It rises above us It is bigger than we can imagine That is why we explore That is why we observe

The Falls by Emily Greenwood

The River by Emily Greenwood

Unpredictable by Lakin Cahill Nature is an abundance of surprises, The unpredictable force of life.

A warm day amongst the cold, The rain that refuses to hold.

A flowers that blooms, A volcano erupting and spewing fumes.

Waves embedding seashells into the sand,

Busy River by Mackenzie Harrison There once was a river which through The woods wended so deep and so true It showed me my reflection And said, after a brief inspection, “Excuse me, I have work to do.�

A tsunami leveling the land.

For it is both good and bad, But there is beauty In both creation And destruction.

Squad by Emily Greenwood

Water and Words by Amanda Hsiao The Chinese say that water and words are easy to pour but impossible to recover.

And that water spilled cannot be retrieved, An impulse of a babble can be a hideous mistake And an impetuous decision to speak, a regret Words and water draw parallels in rivers and rhymes, In tributaries and segues, and oceans and speeches The realization of the similarity is mildly enlightening And uncomfortably poetic I know now it takes many years to write a river, A twist of water asking a question, And that the deepness of trenches and Longevity of oceans Is relevant to the words I spill on paper Like water to the floor by clumsy hands And clumsier vocabulary

The River by Emily Greenwood

Water by Trey Duvall Water flows and water goes The wind whistles and whizzes by A fire rages across the mountain The soft earth causes one pain The elements of the earth make our lives Taken for granted We find beauty We find tragedy Facing this unpredictability We are at its mercy Whether it be grace Whether it be death The Thinking Man by Colette Cambey

Where Can We Find the Soul? by Lauren Gilbert If home is where the heart is, then where can we find the soul?

Does it dwell within the human, or does it venture on its own?

Does it touch the peaks of mountains or wind through the valley below?

I believe it must travel, as if it has a mind of its own.

It must know our deepest desires, before even we know ourselves.

It moves with grace a beauty, leaving waves at it parts.

If adventure is where the soul is, do we have the courage to follow it?

The River by Emily Greenwood

Complete Darkness by Colette Cambey I held my hand in front of my face, The tour guide turned off the light.

My heart began to race, I wondered if everything would be alright.

I could hear the trout swimming The air in the cave was still Drops of water were trickling It felt as if the cave would soon fill Complete darkness is suffocating It feels as if we will never escape The bats are hibernating What if the path out isn’t straight

Fake Lantern is Fake by Mackenzie Harrison

Word Wrap by Catherine Ryu i cannot wrap my head around how broad and vast the mountains are. how it hums and how it stays resolute and true. wind and water endless feet the mountain takes it all.

Claustrophobia Not Advised by Amanda Hsiao

Arachnophobes Be Advised by Mackenzie Harrison

The Cave by Trey Duvall Dark and secluded The pure water The time The dedication Something so simple Water moving earth Creates something so pristine And interesting One cubic inch per 125 years The steady deposit of beauty To the end of an otherwise boring object And the end to an amazing trip

Cave by Trey Duvall