Beth says “Here is a poem I wrote when I was a student, titled ‘Alpine Twilight.’ I did a lot of hiking and climbing when I lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. One particular evening, while camping in the national forest near Grand Teton National Park, the sunset was spectacular, and when full night arrived, there was a gorgeous waxing gibbous moon, the finale to a superb light show. I’m not sure this qualifies as ‘wilderness writing’ but, for me, it definitely evokes that time and place again, and the feeling of peace and majesty wilderness always gave me.”
Alpine Twilight
The mountains were distant, in sentinel rows,
of ochre and lavender, yellow and rose.
The climb had been arduous, lengthy and steep,
reward, the lush vista, forest canopy deep.
The alpenglow lingered on diamond bright snow,the sky dimming gently to evening shadow.
Soon, shy, sparkling starlight, tiptoeing out,
soft rustles, sweet noises, small creatures about.
We lingered yet longer, unwilling to leave,in spite of the gloaming, the proddings to cleave
away from the twilight and back to the fire,
the night coming boldly, strong moon rising higher.
Beth Taylor-Wilson