The Cherokee

His table was across the room 

And we both were gazing through the glass 

Watching the Smoky Mountain sunset 

Another day had come to pass 

I found it mesmerizing to study 

The mountain line blending into night 

It was as if the ridgeline and the darkness 

Could not be divided by any light 

The sunset shadows and shades 

Were silent and creeping in 

I barely noticed as the waitress 

Refilled my glass again 

The Cherokee across the room smiled 

As she carried his plate away 

His thoughts given by his glance 

It was something that words could not convey 

His eyes shone like the debuting stars 

That were beginning to glisten in the sky 

I could tell he knew many stories 

That he would take to the grave when he would die. 

I looked back to the ridges 

They were fading into the dark 

And suddenly that Cherokee was beside me 

His eyes were full of spark 

He said, Son, it is not about the difference 

Of telling the mountain from the night 

It is more about what you see 

In the darkness and in the light.” 

I thought for a moment on this 

It was such a revelation to bear 

I began to respond to the thought 

But the Cherokee was no longer there. 

©.Sutton Aquarius

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