By Lisa Scott-Ponce
Santa Clara Branch
Scrambling over gritty granite boulders
Hiking upward, mile after mile on a never-ending dusty trail
Catching my breath, crying over bloody blisters
Self-conscious, doubtful
Sometimes terrified
Breathe in golden sunshine
Sweat out fear
Trusting my companions
Gamely crossing the raging, frigid waters
Rinse away the grime, the shame
Sleeping under gleaming stars
Awaken to charming birdsong in the gray, chilly dawn
Suddenly, the world begins to make sense.
Getting oriented, scooting up and down hills
Wondering if I could ever even possibly take
One
More
Step
But yes I do, over and over
Then, never wanting it to end
Knowing I can keep going
Admiring the amazing view from the tallest peak
So many trees, so many lessons
Mother Nature is the best teacher.
Well detailed exhilarating experience!
I loved your poem Lisa! It gives me greater courage to do hard things, in order to reap the rewards I hope for!
Lovely! I can feel this poem! Did you write it while on the hike? I’m dying to know where! Brings back memories of bagging my first Munro – Ben Nevis.
A Trooper!
It’s beautifully written. I can feel it and see it. I think that’s the ultimate compliment to give a poet.
lovely poem
I thought this was such a good poem for spring, as the weather warms up and we are able to get outside more, maybe even do some hiking. I go to Yosemite every year, and I can definitely relate to the dusty, steep trail, frigid waters, blisters on feet, and shortness of breath. But it’s worth it for those amazing views!
Beautiful poem, Lisa! I love the way you capture the beauty of nature, the challenges it can present, and the ways it can inspire us to go further than we think we can.