The View

The View

I have gazed upon snow covered Rockies
I have been awed by Ecuadorian volcanoes and Inca highways
Peered out over African plains and the running waters of the Nile
Looked up in wonder at Persian Gulf skyscrapers
Pondered from a plane window the Manhattan skyline below
And from a New Jersey dock, taken back by Lady Liberty
Captured the summer haze of a Canadian horizon from a peak in Maine
Looked out a Toronto hotel window at a Winter Wonderland
Watched fish swimming beneath a canoe in a crystal pond
Watched fish swimming while beneath the blue waters of the Caribbean
Passed miles and miles of sugar cane plantations on an island nation
Passed miles and miles of farmland in too many states to count
Stood amazed midst ancient ruins of Roman Spain and Mayan Mexico
Reflected on my Celtic roots while traipsing the Scottish Highlands
Stood by the ancient, stone altar in Columba's cave
Paused in contemplative stillness by a California sunset 
Seen great works of art in world renown galleries and museums
Walked gravelly paths in majestic, urban parks
Walked gravelly paths down in the coal mines of Wales
Gazed out over the waves back towards Charleston from Portugal
Ran along the coastal cliffs of Peru with the Pacific far below
Prayerfully meandered through countless magnificent cathedrals
Photographed grand palaces from London to The Hague to Calcutta
Been mesmerized by multicolored fields of tulips from a Dutch train
Had a 360 degree glimpse of five states high in the Appalachians
Been overwhelmed by millions in the streets during Ethiopia's Epiphany
Left breathless by the Chilean Andes, French Pyrenees & Brazilian beaches
Had the colors of Fall foliage leave me in tears
And everywhere the people of God of every language, color, and class
But Jane, the view that I love and cherish most of all is you
11-30-16