I Turned Aside

August 8, 2011

As it welcomed me in,

Its coves containing allure

Of place outside 

Of time,

Outside itself.

I started slow

Low

And found myself faster.

The farther and farther I went in

The more it opened up.

Where at its mouth the stream sat dry

It now ran wet,

Growing fuller the higher I climbed.

I drank and was filled,

I stepped and was carried on,

The heat of the day cooled

By springs and shading trees

Sending life and wisdom to any


Who would brave that long journey up.

Briars without number came to block the way

Through which I tore and slashed

Losing perfect skin to bloody paths of pain

From thorns dug in deep

Spurring my stride 

To march swifter.

The longer I journeyed the harder muscles pushed

And sweat drowned the eyes to near blindness.

Even if clothes be stripped

And flesh be ripped

Until, freed, my soul would soar, 

I couldn’t think of turning around;

Nor wanted to.

I had to see more

Be more

Feel more

Know.

But gradually light lessened.

My feet slipped in my fever—

Then above the green canopy I saw

A sea of gold. 

I made hinderances hide as

Poles dug in deep to thrust

Upward, to keep from the dark.

Too late to turn around, I went up.

But switchbacks came.

Would their distance away

Play more than the vertical feet gained?

As sinews faltered rounding a corner, 

Time almost gone, I was

Touched by a ray. My lungs

Opened and feet left the ground;

The wind defined my hastened legs

And wrote the words from my ears.

Purest energy did I receive that I felt

No other thing.

Walls and concaves became

Lines and points and so

I saw my end drawn.

On reaching the saddle among summits I sat.

Taking in the views of last sights

I raised my hand and caught that last bit of honey,

Warmth everlasting and true

And at last I knew.

As the sun gave diffuse grace

For late souls to get home

My feet dropped and shoulders let go

—It was dark.

Such was my day.