The Half Dome

MONARCH mountain! whose clear image lies
       Reflected on the waters at thy base,
If thou wert animate, I could surmise
       Why steeply climb thy shoulders into space,
And why no woods, nor beetling ridges break
       The open view below thy marble face.
For then, unmoving, freely thou couldst take
Proud glimpse of self within the Mirror Lake.
       Thus while the coming sun unbinds the lace
Of cloud worn nightly on thy sovran brow,
And ruffling winds are pent, I fancy thou
       Art watching rapt beside the lake with me,
To see thy naked form appear. Lo, now
       It shows in its serene sublimity!

Wilbur G. Zeigler
From The Overland Monthly
June 1896