Blue Ridge Parkway

you remember the place                 

where the road tilts west                      

and the tips of mountains               

elbow each other                                       

and shove for position                               

 

dark and dusky beauties                        

in muted shades of purple soot                       

and blue skirt swirls                       

folded                                                 

pinned                                                

pleated                                                  

lined up in a queue                                

of their own mysterious pageant vying for validation                                                as most beautiful                                

strong                                                          

and steadfast                                          

 

chunky mountains                           

flexing shoulders                                     

elegant with strength                          

like body builders                                 

oiled and primed                                               

 

narrow peaks                                      

scarce and scant                                                                      

noses high and broken at the top 

 

this range stiff                                         

fold upon fold                                    

tucked and starched                                   

with the valleys pressed thin

 

and this ridge rounded                                                     

filled with clouds                                                                                                                               water wave soft                                    

 

smoke signal clouds                              

hover                                                       

watch                                                           

and float away 

 

 

 

this road the only caller                                                                                                            my car reels and swings                          

now face to face                                 

honest and true                                    

now dos-à-dos                                  

sweet as a shrug                         

swaying right                                

swaying left                                         

contra dance couple                                     

in a jig with the hills 

 

 

 

i learned when i was four                     

to loathe                                                         

the common road   

 

trudging 

great lakes to chicago                                         

purest snow abandoned 

edging the path with debris

 

cars slogging west 

deranged dolphins                                 

with no sense of self                                        

 

i learned to love the back roads           

and the twisting shimmy                            

of the mountain path 

 

 

 

i see the sign that signals my descent 

                                                       

something in me                           

reckless and wild                           

shudders and smiles

 

road worsens next seven miles  

-Janey Pease   

 

Artist Statement:

Driving to teach, to intern, driving to go to Appalachian State attending classes, I see this often! The Blue Ridge Mountains have views of these mountains from every angle possible. . .even a sign stating “road worsens next seven miles” near Spruce Pine. The thought always crosses my mind, “It get WORSE?” But as I say, never an ugly drive in North Carolina.