Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/56



O Jomeokee, thou everlasting guide, Lifting high thyself, a tower strong For passing men, and deathless hills around; For Yadkin and on-flowing Ararat, Bathing thy feet in humblest gratitude; Thy lofty head, embraced by cooling clouds, Gives something forth that's rich, and unto all— O Pilot old, thy secret bare to me.

Tell me when thy origin and where; What hidden womb ambitious gave thee birth; Bear witness thou to all both seen and heard By thee from first to last; from primal man, To Renfro Indian tribe, who spake thy praise In by-gone years, and poet last who sang Thy glory—O eternal Pilot speak!

As mute thou art as mighty and sublime, Like unto all that's great and strong and good— Forever still midst Surrey's joyful hills; Yet to men thou bringest a message deep; To Indian, symbol of the Spirit Great; To me, the varied, potent word of God.

A View of "Big Pinnacle" on Pilot Mountain, in Surrey County, N. C. Picture by the Author.