The Garden Gate

Within the garden
all is in order
everything in its place
everything as it should be.

Beyond the garden gate
it is open and free
with endless possibilities.

In the garden
I am content
but beyond the garden gate
I am filled with wonder.

— Dan Hardison

Photo by Dan Hardison
Maury County, Tennessee

Also available:
Read or print PDF
Listen or Download MP3

Going Back

It has been many years
since I called this place home
and even though
I have been back,
it seems so different now.

The streets I used to know,
the places I used to go
are all vague somehow.

Some things are familiar,
some have changed,
some are gone,
some are just forgotten.

There are people here
who may know my name,
but they belong
to some other time
that I just cannot remember.

Perhaps you cannot go back -
perhaps the people and places
should forever remain a memory.

But if you do go back,
you must accept that today
it will all be different somehow.

And the memories
will remain forever
in the past.

— Dan Hardison

Photo by Dan Hardison
Blue Ridge Parkway, Western North Carolina

Also available:
Read or print PDF
Listen or Download MP3

The Bright Road

This is the bright road to the mountain top
Beset with shadows and with paths astray,
By dangerous crag, by cliff's sudden drop
Into eternity. This is the way
That man might climb upon the verdant sod
And find among the peaks the peace of God.

On this long road man needs an iron-bound will,
A purpose clear that strengthens every hour,
A hand to help the weak o'er steepening hill
And heart to cheer the sad through darkening shower.
This is the bright road youth must climb with care
To gain the top and its good blessings share.

— James Still
From the book "From the Mountain, From the Valley: New and Collected Poems".

Photo by Dan Hardison
Cades Cove, East Tennessee

Also available:
Read or print PDF
Listen or Download MP3