Grand Canyon Artists on the Cliff, North Rim    Photo: Sukie Park

Silence of the Canyon

William Wendell Riley      

Grand Canyon had no speech to make.

She never said a word.

While I viewed her matchless glory,

I was startled by a bird.

It came flying, tumbling through the air,

And stopped beside me there,

And sung the sweetest little song.

How I wanted you to hear.

A little chipmunk then rushed out

And stood on his hind legs

And chattered me a welcome

To this land of towering crags.

Then, another little songster,

From the tip top of a pine,

Sang as sweet as ever echoed

In the valley of the Rhine!

But the Gorge was mute, but glorious,

Magnificent, sublime!

Her secrets still remain her own

And will throughout all time!

Angel's Window, North Rim, Grand Canyon  Photo: Sukie Park