Yosemite Valley

June 22, 2004  (I was 59)

                          

Yosemite Valley

Entering the valley down highway 120

upon reaching the floor and the Merced River

Dylan sang Forever Young

in both versions from Planet Waves

We stopped at the chapel

Where our small marriage began to grow

twenty-five years ago* 

I left the car windows open

We entered the building

wept smiling         

and reaffirmed a vow

that needed only eye contact and hands squeezed

We found another couple

to take our picture on the chapel steps

where the view of Yosemite Falls

is a natural reminder

of the power and fragility of permanence 

         * it's now been forty years ago today...