The Valley In Spring

When I awake and hear the meadowlarks,
Or walk through orange mallow on spring days,
Or hear the call of the returning cranes
And know the valley still has wild ways,

Or when I see the marmot once again,
Wakened from its dreamy winter sleep
To be the sentry of our shared domain,
I hear the valley voices echo deep

And, like the breeze that melts the mountain snow,
To my glad heart the valley spring proclaim.
Please God if all could hear and see and know
That Eden is our valley’s other name.