From the collection “A View From the Gorge”. Art inspired by the Columbia Valley River Gorge.

Though the gorge is rugged, rocky, sharp and angular, it is blanketed nearly year-around by mist. It sneaks into valleys and between trees, obscuring jagged edges and steep drop-offs, making everything seem soft.

A thing too perfect to be remembered;
stone beautiful only when wet.

Blinded by light or black cloth-
so many ways
not to see others suffer
Too much longing.

it separates us
like scent from bread,
rust from iron.

From very far or very close –
the most resolute folds of the mountains are gentle.

Sentencings, Jane Hirshfield