Fire Mountains

image by Glenn Buttkus

 Fire Mountains

“Of all the fire mountains which like beacons, blazed

along the Pacific Coast, Mt. Rainier is the noblest.”

--John Muir.

 I live in the “Ring of Fire”, in one of the fertile valleys

scooped out by Mt. Rainier magma millions of years

ago. The Cascades sport six active volcanos. Mt.

Rainier is our tallest and most majestic at 14,411’.

North of it we find Mt. Baker, which has the most 

snowfall, standing at 10,786’. Just south of Rainier,

we encounter Mt. Adams, looking like a smaller twin,

standing at 12,781. Southwest of there, we come

to the infamous Mt. Saint Helens, which erupted in 1980.

It once was 9,617’. After it blew its top, it is only 8,307’.

Due south of it, in Oregon, we discover Mt. Hood, that

stands at 11,249’. South of that, in California one finds

Mt. Shasta, a looming 14,179’, second tallest in the

range.

We are told that at any time, perhaps after a massive

earthquake, one of more of these mountains could

erupt. These peaks have never been cold.

Wolves get relocated.

They adapt and thrive quickly.

Then comes a bounty.

Glenn Buttkus

Haibun

Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub