Climbing KILIMANJARO: A Life Changing Experience and Poetic Opportunity (Kilimanjaro Poem 1 of 9)
Climbing Kilimanjaro was truly a life-changing experience—one I’ve been savoring almost daily since returning. Some of the details are fading and the final hours of the ascent are a little sketchy. Only talking with those who were there with me helps, and explaining to others properly is difficult sometimes. However, from Day 3 of the climb, my wordscapes (poetic ramblings) started up, and I’m very glad to have them to look back at now. These are where I record details and feelings in the moment (or shortly afterwards). Even those who weren’t with us on the climb, I’ve found, have the opportunity to get a better sense of what transpired by giving this poetic journal a quick look.
All poems will be entered chronologically. The first Kilimanjaro poem is included below, and eight more will be divided between the next four blog posts.
1. Kilimanjaro, Day 3
No I can’t
Yes I can
No I won’t
Yes I will
Climbing the mountain
Or going to the bathroom
Hesitation
Then elation
Every sensation counts
Tension mounts
Nothing to worry about
Except getting there
About the rest of life
Not a care
The body is what matters
All its pitter-patters
From drug reactions
Tingles and jingles
To rumblings and mumblings
Food and drink
Give us a lot to talk about
As do other folk along for the climb
The mood is high
Pain we want to deny
The humor is good
Most jokes understood
Personalities emerge
Memories surge
Our reality is the now we are in
Nights are cold
Sleep interrupted
Dreams in pieces
Time to think or not
Just the packing
Unpacking
Sorting
And rearranging
Gives us enough to do
Onward and up
We hope to go
Nausea, headaches and all
A thought to appall
The mind is willing
Challenged
The body too
Can we, will we?
Yes please!
Thrill me.
