the way up and the way back

 

an ancient path

the mountains do not love a trail:

rain rivers down it,

and, like a sculptor, 

reveals the rock structure beneath,

not the most fun obstacle course,

within which to find a way through

without a slip or a twist,

the bushes, flowers, trees along the trail

view its openness as opportunity,

without regular beating back

they decide to reclaim trail for forest,

today we left the well-maintained trail

and climbed up toward where 

the Appalachian Trail crests the mountains,

Indigenous peoples have stepped over the mountains 

on this path for thousands of years,

we reach to feel their wisdom of intention

in where to walk most easily near Road Prong,

as it drops boisterously toward the valley,

the trail seeks to gain elevation along the dropping,

guided by what works better for the human

than what rock, water, and gravity make the stream do,

some sections of this trail feel close 

to the feel of the original Indigenous path,

particularly as the trail goes higher toward the crest,

we stop at a waterfall, with its enticing pool,

we call it "Nimrodel" for a pool in The Lord of the Rings,

we are sure the Cherokee and their ancestors 

had a better name for it,

and that they, too, dipped in it,

to remember and celebrate being fully alive

and how glorious effort, water, and just beauty, can be.

by Henry H. Walker

July 29, ‘23