By: Dixon Hearne

Warm springs draw the pilgrims forth,
the bracing winds of winter at their back.
Healing waters gurgling from the earth
quell the worry, pacify the soul,
sate the thirst of human longing—
an ancient wisdom rediscovered.

In these rich hills and pristine forest—
sacred land of native tribes—
past and present collide, repel,
eventually merge,
transforming life
and human knowing,
dismissing tradition
like litter along the road to Truth.

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Dixon Hearne writes in the American South. His work has been twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize. His latest book is Plainspeak: New and Selected Poems. His work has been anthologized in Texas Review Press’s Southern Poetry Anthology: Louisiana and Down to the Dark River (Louisiana Literature Press). Other poetry appears in New Plains Review, Poetry South, Tulane Review, Weber: The Contemporary West, Big Muddy, and elsewhere. He is working on a new poetry collection.