Poetry

majestically She sits
on her Andean Throne
silently watching
as i breathlessly struggle,
determined to reach
Her daunting
5,036 meter Vista Point

they call Her
Montaña Winikunka
Montaña de Colores
Rainbow Mountain

i call Her
an Exquisite Piece
of La Madre Tierra

we are seven
plus our guide, john
who briefs us

this is no race
take your time
some will go quickly
others will fall behind
some will suffer
from soroche,
the debilitating
altitude sickness

listen to your body
hydrate often
need a horse
decide now

pace yourselves
take breaks as needed
i have agua de florida
& oxygen, if needed

when we reach the Vista Summit
only 20 minutes, not longer
it’s very dangerous
at that altitude
remember to enjoy the scenery
always respect the Mountain 

one couple
opts for horseback
the rest of us
set off on foot

i begin my ascent
step by step
walk…hike…trek

my boots sinking their soles
into Her soil

tire…ache…pant

the effects of the altitude
slow-ly setting in

stop
my body needs rest

standing there
strangers pass by
some slow-ly
others rush-ed-ly

john’s voice

i take in the beauty
surrounding me
snowcapped peaks
alpacas grazing
in the distance
the fog
accompanying me
on my route

start anew

climb
trek slow-ly
ever so
slow-ly
hydrate but
offer HER first
chew ojas de coca

don’t stop…just walk
keep trek-king
plow ahead
pain…halt…loss
of oxygen

john offers agua de florida
that aromatic herbal concoction
used by shamans & curanderos
to cleanse
body – mind – spirit

deep-ly, with intention
my palms to nostrils
in-hale the flower water

re-peat
re-peat
re-peat

renewed
i restart my ascent

climb – stumble
over rocks
tread with caution
hike ahead
the poles help

don’t stop
you got this
wrap my head in hope
will myself to focus
but this chest hurts
fold…over my knees

pain…gasp…gasp…pain
fear…so much fear
stop
sit on this rock
take oxygen now

john sits with me

silence

gaze over my right
ahead to where
Her Peak comes into view

this shit is real
and She may not want me
seeds of doubt
take root
raw emotions
flood my mind

my past
creeping to the fore
you are not enough
never were you
good enough

tears
roll down my cheeks
them childhood insecurities
finding their unwelcome way beside me on this Mountain

to not summit
failure
unworthy
insignificant
it is proof
that truly i am not
good enough
just as i felt
as a little girl

we sit in brief silence
no empty words
to fill the cool air

i look up at Her
She whispers

Hear Me
Call Out Your Name

Feel Me
Draw in My Love

Touch Me
Give Me Your Pain

emotionally drained
physically exhausted
mentally spent

i know She awaits me

hike…walk…trek
climb
step…step…step
stop

2 hours and
24 minutes later

Her Vista Point Summit

Welcomes me
and still there are
4 letters

weep…deep pain
some more…calm wind

Her Arms
Hold me
Her Bosom
Comforts me

Welcome Home
My Warrior

so many tears
this time they carry
joy
re-lief
gratitude
vindication

they hold love

4 letters
cannot begin to express
the overwhelming feelings
of reaching Her Summit

free…
i am finally free