my legs are jars of sand
fear's a spider
climbing my spine, with last
part: wooden steps
my breath mirrors shallow
lake on ice-capped
mountain, shimmering blue-
beehive of pines-
my tongue throbs for lake's cool
not warm green tea-
below, panorama
winks, bubbling green
Lake Louise from the middle of the hike up to Lake Agnes Tea House. The trail took us 2 hours to climp up and 1.5 hours to hike down.
- Elevation Gain: 400 m (1300 ft)
- Altitude: 2135 m (7005 ft)
Posted for OpenLinkNight of D'verse Poets pub - Late post for the Quadrille of Fear last week. Join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST. All photos are mine from my vacation in Alberta, Canada. Thanks for the visit.
The was sure quite the hike and quite the view too.
ReplyDeleteYou've described just how it feels on such a hike! Very nice~
ReplyDeleteYou are seeing such beauty, Grace. I am so happy for you. I relate to legs being jars of sand. Hiking is beyond me now but when I was your age, I thrived on such a trek.
ReplyDeleteI found the jars of sand very easy to relate to as well :) This poem has an Oriental feel to it, hard to pinpoint, but it's there.
ReplyDeleteOh this is beautiful!💖 Especially love; "my breath mirrors shallow lake on ice-capped mountain, shimmering blue-beehive of pines-"💖
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place for hiking Grace, I can relate to 'my legs are jars of sand' on some of the steeper slopes where we hike ;o) xxx
ReplyDeleteThat is a long way to go for a cup of tea but the view must have been beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh those steps look steep! Your poem made my legs feel like
ReplyDelete'jars of sand' too. But what a view! It was definitely worth it.
Those stairs made my legs feel like "jars of [rubbery] sand". but what a lovely place to hike. Your poem is almost Eastern in its cadence - lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove how this opens and unwinds Grace--the cool of green on a hot hike!
ReplyDeleteSuch places to visit yet. It sounds amazing. That need for cool water...What a beautiful view.
ReplyDeleteLegs as jars of sand - perfect line! Marvelous imagery in this, Grace. And, wow! What a picture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and photos. I have really enjoyed your Alberta, posts.
ReplyDeleteA lovely hike at Lake Louise. Beautiful photos. I think I'd settle for a whiskey sour at the pub!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be in the outdoors Grace! You're a plucky lady, Ma'am to be able to take the hike to and fro. Great pics!
ReplyDeleteHank
Me too. It's challenging, but in the end worth it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot truthfully attest to my infatuation with hiking. But this wonderful piece tells me perhaps it may be worth it to give it a try!
ReplyDelete"my legs are jars of sand
ReplyDeletefear's a spider
climbing my spine"
Not just plain-out pooped, but trembling with the height, the exertion, the awe. Nicely turned!
It is a beautiful place and you have captured its essence.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking me with you!
ReplyDeleteLove these words: my legs are jars of sand
ReplyDeletefear's a spider
climbing my spine
As for the rest, you really gave us a feeling of this experience. Well done!
You have an amazing mastery of metaphors! I could feel the speaker's weary legs and the spidery spinal chill. I felt like I was there with you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful through and through. I love this Grace!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is spectacular. I was right there with you climbing those steps!
ReplyDeleteLove the opening lines-captures well the trepidation, even fear, of ascending the steps, the wonderful view making up for it.
ReplyDeleteI love it, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are stunning...that reflection in the water is beautiful. And yes....all the views of nature as you are climbing...expending energy, seeing beauty at different angles as you ascend. I think I would be ready for a cold root beer at the top rather than a tea house --- although a tea house, I imagine, makes a much more elegant place and way to quaff your thirst at the top, in keeping with the beauty of the surroundings.
ReplyDeleteQuite a feat and an even wondrous view of the lake. I use to back pack many years ago now so it brought back memories. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would really love to take this same hike right now. I love nature. Thanks for making me feel like I was there.
ReplyDelete