Wednesday, December 12, 2012

View from the Top of a Postcard

Posted for Poets United Wonder Wednesday #13 Postcards:

HALF DOME is the ANSWER

Start early
For you have several steps
Some treacherous
To take.

Bow down
On awestruck knees
Feel the mist
On your face.

Climb
And keep climbing
Steep
Then steeper.

On the steps 
Of vertigo
Don't be fooled
Into turning back.

Turn back when
Rock is wet
Lightning is striking
Or handholds not installed.

Grab hold 
Of steel cables
Lean back a little
And haul yourself up.

Walk the top
Crawl to the edge
And reel into
Gravity.

Look down
The northwest face
See climbers
Suspended.

Retreat to middle ground
Meet world hikers
From Israel, France, Romania, Australia.
They all speak English.

Try
To not share your lunch
With begging
Marmots.





18 comments:

  1. Can name where but it sounds like somewhere worth visiting!

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    1. Looking at your photo I will guess it is a place that would be worth the visit from you and your family.

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    2. stopped by to see where the postcard was from - realized I meant "Can't " name where in my original comment!! Looks like a great climb!

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  2. A steep but rewarding climb - much like life!

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    1. This climb was rewarding and does not require any technical skill if you ascend the east side.

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  3. I would guess somewhere in the Himalyas?

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    1. I've been to my postcard - never to the Himalayas but I would like to go there.

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    2. Hmmmmm! If in Washington State, perhaps Mount Rainier?

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    3. Not in Washington, but close.

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  4. Marmots? Oh they are so cute. I am going to guess somewhere in Washington or the Rocky Mountains.

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  5. Somewhere in Oregon, perhaps? It sounds amazing and more intense than any hiking I've ever done. :)

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    1. Next state south. It's one of "America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes" according to Backpacker Magazine. It's not my favorite place to hike, but it's a place every hiker should go at least once.

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  6. I can't see the photo? It sounds wonderful and I want to go...I am thinking Oregon, too. I have been there, it is glorious~ We were driving through headed to Alaska...
    I love your poem :D

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    1. I didn't take a camera - but I found some wiki images. When people think California, they don't think mountains - there's so much other stuff going on there I guess.

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  7. These are amazing! Wow, I love mountains...thank you for this glorious view :D

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  8. Is that the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina..? Aaah....breathtaking and chilling!:D

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  9. What a great place! I love mountains. The view is always so breathtaking.

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