Saturday, January 31, 2015

Snow On The Windows \ Descent


Nancy: Blizzard, whirlwind, maelstrom of air, snow packed against, blocking, the windows – creating a world of memory and imagination.



Snow On The Windows


a landscape
a geology textbook
a campsite at Jumbo Rocks
a canyon, walking deep into history
a rolling meadow
a cave
icebergs
Mount Kailas, streaming cloud
I might say
    I am shut in
    yes, I am shut in
traveling
traveling



Alan: If I fly, it’s the landing that scares me.  If I climb, it’s the wondering how to get down.



Descent


It’s not the climb that’s so hard –
            even Jack knew that –
                       strength, agility, courage
all that’s needed.  Once there
           the adventure, despite dangers,
  doable.  No,
                      with or without the stolen
           or even offered boon,
                                         it’s the descent –
the stalk collapsing, the magic gone.

Shamans who beat their drums
              then threw their rope-ends into the air
    climbed
                       and vanished
knowing they might not return
                                        might fall down dead or mad.
Those waiting also knew,
                       making the wait a prayer.

My father told of climbing the knotted rope
              to the gym’s very rafters;
                                       then, thinking it smart,
                         he slid down neat and quick,
tearing the calluses off both hands.
              The coach mercurochromed the raw flesh.
     He almost hit the roof again.
A trivial example but worth recalling.

There were oracles of the state who, summoned,
             first went into trance.
                          Only then could they bear the headdress
            hoisted by several men
                                      that otherwise would snap their necks.
    Each time the fierce deity
                         entered them and spoke,
their lives shortened.  Yet it had to be done.

So, as we climb now
     with hands and feet, with our whole bodies
                                     disappearing toward what we cannot know
               may never reach or, reaching, find ungraspable
let us remember
                       when it comes time at last to descend
   to do so gently, slowly –
                                  bearing at least ourselves as proof –
 and with infinite care
               together.

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