Cheam

photo by Halsask @ GEO snapper

Heading east out of Vancouver
Mount Cheam and Lady Bird
Loom high into the distance.
Passing through Chilliwack 
On Canada's highway #1
As I pass the Mountains base
Slightly East of Bridal Falls.

Looking out the car window
I look high up to the peak
And my memories take me back
To you and the days of our youth.
Days when on any given weekend
You would find me high 
Staring down from atop those peaks.

I remember the ascent from here
Up the logging road across
Mountain streams, the scramble up 
On to the ridge and the long
Walk and climb up on to the peak.
I see you bending over
Drinking from the last stream.

I can see you racing me 
Up to reach the peak first.
Sitting we would look
Six thousand feet below
Out across the Fraser Valley,
And watch the river below
Talking about the years ahead.

Then the race down the mountain
A sprint at best, a tumble,
A shortcut down a slash,
Whatever it took to win
The race to the valley floor.
At the end we would talk
About the next climb and win.

The car heads into the town of Hope
Nestled between mountains
Along the flowing Fraser.
I raise my head to see where
You used to live and work,
And smile at how you loved your piece 
Of heaven here, the mountains, and flowing river.

The car turns into the gate and
Pulls to a slow stop.
Getting out I make my way
Slowly to your place of rest.
Looking down with tears streaming
I smile at the thought of you
High on top of Mt. Cheam

The words I wanted to say
Don't flow as easy as the river,
But I think you know brother
That I loved you and I miss you
And I am forever grateful
For that last race down the mountain
When you let me, your younger brother win.