(red river gorge)

gnarled arthritic
hands of god,
fingers wan of flesh,
swollen at the knuckles.
scars of iron carbuncles
outcrop sandstone fissures.
eons of exfoliate skin
the wind has whipped
and churned until
deep pocks are carved,
gnashed at the belly
of the cliff until
underneath
an arch is seen.
daylight shines
between two hollows
where a breeze
blows always.
shade and shelter
for all sort of critter.
a cradle and cathedral,
tucked under those
ancient patient
hands.