You rock slow on splintered pine
Breath clouds out in mountain time
Camera hangs from calloused thumb
Temple sleeps where roots become
Film wind clicks in plastic cage
History writes on silver page
Snow falls soft on shingle skin
Ancient chants rise from within
Stone chair snow you hear the tone
Mountain temple calls your own
Rocking rhythm matches beat
Heart and hammer same repeat
Bus ticket stubs in denim pocket
Silver halide frames the locket
Viewfinder catches pine and peak
Shutter steals what words don't speak
Film wind clicks in plastic cage
History writes on silver page
Snow falls soft on shingle skin
Ancient chants rise from within
Stone chair snow you hear the tone
Mountain temple calls your own
Rocking rhythm matches beat
Heart and hammer same repeat
Frost etches fern on window glass
Exposure reads through hourglass
Developer waits in tin can
Images rise like ancient plan
No darkroom needed here tonight
Stone develops its own light
Your fingers numb on wooden arm
Temple beats a steady charm
Stone chair snow you hear the tone
Mountain temple calls your own
Rocking rhythm matches beat
Heart and hammer same repeat
Dawn breaks cold on ridge and bowl
Negative prints on your soul
You pack the camera catch the bus
Temple hum stays in your blood
Stone chair snow you hear the tone
Mountain temple calls your own
Rocking rhythm matches beat
Heart and hammer same repeat
Stone chair snow you hear the tone
Shutter clicks on frozen porch
Stone hums deep beneath the boards