Poem: Devil's Postpile

Devil’s Postpile

Hexagon: A polygon with six edges and six vertices.
The total of the internal angles of any hexagon is 720°.

As if these terms – hexagon, polygon, angles, vertices -
could capture the beauty of these ancient basaltic rocks
fallen like Greek columns in a jumbled heap
at the bottom of the monolithic cliff
each with its six sides reflecting light and shadow
like a Michelangelo returned to its original form
piled in a timeless geometry beyond imagination.

And then, atop the vertical columns
smoothed and polished by eons of rain, wind and sun
perfect hexagonal tiles of rock
locked together like nature’s dance floor
inviting a slow waltz of awestruck wonder
in the cool breeze of a Sierra morning.

And what of the rock’s hexagonal cousins:
honeycombs, soap bubbles, turtle’s backs,
cloud patterns on Saturn -
evidence of cosmic cooperation
a universal sharing of perfection
meant to dazzle and tease our finite minds
that sing to praise the music of infinity.