You Hike the Valley Alone
i think of you now far away in a distant land we are separated by
more than distance you hike the valley of the shadow of death
you do not stumble like the hike years ago
in haversuepie arizonia the descent was straight down a ten-mile hike
in that hot canyon most of the day the mules passed us
they carried the mail in and out of the canyon the dogs run alongside
barking at their heels hooves clatter on the rocks the men yell
encouragement hoo! hoo! the sun beats down
the canyon an oven we stopped often to rest in the shade
took our time descending slowly deep into the earth
the village another world protected by vertical rock walls cool at last
it is there we witnessed the dragonfly/fire engine red silently waiting
as if for us alone stared into our eyes we stared back
camped near the falls emerald green water cascading over the rim
leaving all cares above... on the last day we hiked most of the day
the hike had grown much harder late in the afternoon the final push
back to our waiting cars the trail seemed to go straight up/ into the sky days before
when we began we hardly noticed the descent but the return assent
back to our lives above was very difficult out of water
we stopped often for short rests we found three bottles of water
we stopped often for short rests we found three bottles of water
gratefully we took two we met a young man on the trail just beginning his hike
ten miles into the canyon hot as hell dressed in black
with black parasol a definite spring in his step for all the world
he appeared to be out for a stroll/ in a downtown park the canyon floor many hours ahead
he appeared to be out for a stroll/ in a downtown park the canyon floor many hours ahead
often wondered if he made it did he find his way
or did he turn back for you there is no turning back
your heart is strong though broken you hike the valley alone
April 4, 2016
12 comments:
This held me throughout, Annell. Poignant nad perhaps bittersweet. Thank you.
I felt chills as I read through all this. It did feel like I was hiking alone with nothing but yourself and no one around. A bittersweet and wow! Love this.
If a poem ever causes me to continue thinking about it past the last lines, I know that's a good poem. I'm still reflecting on this one.
The return ascent would be difficult especially if one had to get back in a certain amount of time. I remember climbing the Incline in Colorado Springs. The going up came first and I almost didn't reach the top taking a detour back down. Going down was pleasant. I am surprised someone wore all black in the heat on that trail. I hope he had water.
I was gripped by this poem...the ascent and descent are perfect metaphors and the sadness of the final hike comes through so strongly.
This speaks to me of someone (a loved one) who has now passed on from this earthly "hike" and is now traversing alone on the other side. I was spellbound by this, Annell.
Sad and poignant. Lovely piece!
The assent back to our usual lives often evokes more of a sadness than the descent, into the wild unknown.
A most eloquent write on a timeless subject matter and the setting is so very personal it seems. That black dressed man with his black parasol and springed step gave me the shudders.
emotional, and nice.
often wondered if he made it
did he find his way
or did he turn back
Strange people in strange situations (wearing black?) would act differently. They somehow survive. He would have found his way!
Hank
The free flowing thoughts created a beautifully visual poem that I was lost in...a world of lovely images that just keeps going.
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