Pacific Rainforest Wildlife Guardians  

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                                         Tasting the Mountain Spring

                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                  The spring comes to us through a mile of mountain wood,

                                 Beginning in the high cold acres where

                                  Snow water starts, but seeping downward there

                                 Feeds roots, things at the abysmal source of

                                 All life. Sticks and wet stones and thirsts

                               Of worm and toadstool, unseen starry bursts

                               Of damp wood-pollen fill it--taste enough

                               To let you know it has come down the brink

                               Of more than thunder . . . . in this foaming ditch

                               Water with Earths iron tainted and defiled

                               Mingles with stars, but, for myself, I drink

                               Like a fawn or antelope, un-tasting which,

                               So long as all that waters quick and wild.

                                                                                                                   -Loren Eiseley

                                                                                                                   From: The Star Thrower

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