when i arrived and saw the wanton
beach, there was little undergrowth
on the dry river-bed.

the saw-grass and saguaro
had been my companions
through the impassible gorges.

i could hear the roar
of the rapids up the crevice,
stones knocking against each other.

i mused that mayhaps this spot
is a favorable crossing,
though underfoot was a furious rapid.

i found myself near the shore
and it was only a day later
and yet seemed an eternity of torture.

indeed the venture took me
through some stony ground,
but finally i found the summit.

09/07/2006