Sacred
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, beauty, ecstatic, gratitude, homage, joy, love, memories, mystery, nature, philosophy, photo, prayer, wisdom, wonder
A hike into the Cascade Mountains, in image and verse.
Author’s note: It was a beautiful day for hiking here in Oregon, so I made a trek into the Mt. Hood wilderness — camera in hand, notebook and pen in my shirt pocket. This is my day, shared with you here, in image and verse. The photo is a shot of Lost Lake, through the trees, with Mt. Hood in reflection.
•
my footfalls
drum the root chambers of the old growth
each step cushioned
by centuries of needle-drop
in this ancient forest
enjoying the rise and fall
twist and turn of the trail
I amble
feeling the smoothness of my walking stick
clutched comfortably in my right hand
an audible stir in the treetops
wind
wafting down the western Cascade slopes
invigorating
the steady rhythm of my footsteps
hypnotic
rounding a bend
brushing through waist-high fern
I crest a knoll
and stop
mesmerized
light drifts down dreamlike
filtered by the woodland canopy
settling golden around me
a power
a presence
is tangible
a breeze enfolds me
intoxicating
the scent of living earth
an addictive bouquet
cedar
Douglas fir
Ponderosa pine
moss
bark
loam
and ionized mountain air
my spirit rises
my being – weightless
I float away
lifted into oneness
wholeness
epiphonal
suddenly
I’m startled
a young doe bounds onto the trail
standing proud
golden in the light
she considers me briefly
then disappears
quick as a stolen glance
quiet as passing time
my eyes dart to find her
here then there
in vain
I catch a glimpse
silver-blue
shimmering
where massive trees part
wind-blown mountain water
crisp
clear
it sparkles
Lost Lake
the namesake of this trail
my reason for this trek into wilderness
climbing a boulder at trail’s edge
I sit
pull my legs under me
lean forward
elbows on knees
I face lake-ward
basking in the energy
of this natural cathedral
I become very still
listening
gazing
just being
in rapt wonderment
at the magnificence that surrounds me
this place is my church
this moment is my prayer
I am in touch with my soul
with the eternal
• • •
rob kistner © 2007
June 28th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Woah! What a beautiful picture….poets are born in places like these:)
June 28th, 2007 at 1:06 am
Sorceress -
Thank you!
Yes, this part of the world in which I am blessed to live, is a source of great inspiration!
June 28th, 2007 at 1:37 am
What a wonderful photo! It’s so beautiful I almost forgot to scroll down to the poem! I enjoyed the poem a lot too - you sense of awe around nature is obvious. Too many people have lost it.
June 28th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Juliet -
Thank you!
The natural world is the only source of awe on this temporal plane. Human constructs, while interesting, pale in comparison.
June 28th, 2007 at 2:30 am
I felt as if I was intruding! This post made my afternoon!
PS: Do read my first sestina!
June 28th, 2007 at 3:07 am
Gautami -
I’m glad I could add to your day!
No intrusion, I took all of you along — my pleasure!
June 28th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Oh, words fail me. I’m glad they did not fail you.
I have family in Oregon and have been to the wilderness you so eloquently describe.
June 28th, 2007 at 4:23 am
morning Rob, thanks for sharing. this is incredibly lovely. what must it be like to have this near you all the time? I live in the woods by a stream and i find that soothing - but this - oh my.
I am in touch/with my soul
yes, you are. i have sensed that about you. how nice are blog friendships?
June 28th, 2007 at 4:52 am
An absolutely stunning photo and wonderful account of your trek and the feelings evoked.
June 28th, 2007 at 6:10 am
Ahh… breathtaking! I felt very much there, and definitely was basking in the sacredness of that place. Thank you!
June 28th, 2007 at 6:28 am
I have always believed that God’s greatest church is outside in a forest, by a lake, looking at mountain tops. Beautiful poem. I love the imagery of light that drifts down - dreamlike.
Out of all the States, Oregon is one that I would really love to visit one day.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Hi Rob. Stellar photo. Your poem speaks on my behalf. My church is the natural world and the Mount Hood Wilderness in one of my favorite places to worship. I’m going to send your link to my hiking buddy! Well done!
June 28th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Wow whee… what a beautiful poem- and picture! I was totally transported!
June 28th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Ah, it’s so wonderful to live in the northwest, amongst the snow-kissed Cascades! I loved your poem because nature has this effect on me, too. You described it so perfectly, and I love that you talked about it being sacred–that set the whole tone. The picture? Truly magnificent!
June 28th, 2007 at 8:18 am
That was lovely. I’ve gone on hikes too (Yosemite) and you’ve captured the feeling one gets being in the middle of nature.
Thanks
June 28th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Wonderful, both the words and the image! Thanks.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:52 am
I love moments like that, coming out of the trees to see the lake and vista beyond. You captured the feelings perfectly. And the smells - the wonderful aroma of cedar and pine. It makes me yearn to get back into wildnerness hiking.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Rob, your form felt like hiking and pausing to feel your surroundings. Excellent picture and verse! I live and hour east of Tahoe fire with this same beauty.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Pauline -
How wonderfully kind… thank you!
The you understand the impact this part of the country has on the soul…
June 28th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Sasha -
Thank you!
Sounds like you live in a wonderful space…
My wife Kathy and I are blessed to reside here in this little corner of god’s country — Kathy introduced me to the Pacific Northwest… just one of the many reasons I love my wife!
Despite anything else it may or may not offer — the internet allows people from around the globe to share their experiences, and their ’souls’… I truly enjoy it!
June 28th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Tara -
The photo was taken from a remote, but popular vista along the trail I was hiking. It’s a wonderful stop along the way.
Glad to have shared my little walk in the woods… and glad you enjoyed it!
June 28th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Hedwyg -
Thank you!
I am pleased this was experiential for you — that was my hope…
June 28th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Christina -
It’s in unspoiled nature that I find my spirit, my bliss… I am pleased you enjoyed this!
You should come and visit this wonderful piece of paradise. Make certain you get to the Oregon coast… the trip on 101 along the ocean is gorgeous!
If you ever decide to come this way, let me know in advance… I will send you a prioritized itinerary of places to visit and things to see here in our state. It will take you many months to get to all of them — but you can pick the ones you want to include in your trip.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Deb -
Thank you!
I know you share this magical ‘neck-of-the-woods’, so you understand my joy…
The photo was taken from a popular vista along the trail that wraps around Lost Lake — there are many on that hike.
The clearing and boulder upon which I was sitting is about half the way around the lake, shortly after you cross the wetlands on the hand-built wooden bridge. It’s in the natural cathedral clearing in the oldest growth part of the trail. You come to it about a 1/4 mile beyond the bridge.
Believe me, you will know when you come to it!!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Regina -
Thank you!
So you were able to join me spiritually on this trek — wonderful…
June 28th, 2007 at 11:10 am
You have used some of my favorite images here…the loamy springy earth. As if we are all on a trampoline..Gaining velocity and height with every step. These were certainly steps towards the heavens. I love Oregon.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:15 am
CG -
I appreciate your kind words!
Yes… the snow-kissed Cascades, the Pacific coast, the Columbia Gorge, the Yamhill wine country, the central Oregon high desert, the incredible Willamette valley, the Crater Lake area… the Pacific Northwest in general — sacred is the only effective way to describe all of it!
I pray it does not fall too quickly to the abuse of humankind… that is the actual prayer I offer up when I am in the midst of all this natural beauty!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Anna -
Thank you!
Yes, yes… Yosemite! …awesome… you are very fortunate to be able to hike this beautiful part of the world…
June 28th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Pepek -
You are kind — thank you!
June 28th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
D R -
Thank you!
Yes, I love the fragrances of the woods — very intoxicating to me.
You should get out and take a little walk into wilderness… it’s good for the soul…
June 28th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Tammy -
I’m pleased you were able o experience this with me… glad to have had you along!
The Tahoe area is wonderful — love to visit there.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Wendy -
Isn’t it amazing to walk on such resilient earth… I love it!
You have fun in the Bahamas with Michael!
Bring back some photos and post them on your blog.
June 28th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Wow–your words completely transported me to that spot: “wind/wafting down/the western Cascade slopes.” I know that feeling! Thanks for the mini-vacation; the whole piece is beautiful.
June 28th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Rob,
Your words vividly sketch an image of your spiritual amble and the magnificent photo completes the whole scene. Many reflections to bring renewal. Very well done!
rel
June 28th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Split -
Thank you!
Very happy to provide the escape…
June 28th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Rel -
Thank you my friend!
I relish immersing myself in pure nature — it is both cleansing and reaffirming… wonderful renewal!
June 28th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Hi Rob! Your spectacular photo and soul-resonating words took me on a really beautiful journey. Thank you so much. And the line “this moment is my prayer” is really cool.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Clare -
Glad to have been your guide!
You are welcome…
My oneness with nature is my prayer… the only one that resonates with my soul.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
The lines “…cushioned / by centuries of needle-drop” reminds me of one of the most magical parts of a pine forest to me. That cushion is so comforting to walk on.
I totally understand how this is your prayer. And that photo — spectacular! I know the real thing is even more amazing. I’ve heard Oregon is beautiful, and I’ve never been there.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Kristin -
I appreciate your kind words!
Walking the floors of the old growth forests is like walking on something enchanted, something nurturing, its like floating… an enlivening experience apart from this world — it is truly magical.
It makes the spirit lighter and puts a smile on the face… and walking under the canopy of an old growth forest, high above your head, is utterly transforming.
It is my prayer!
June 29th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Hello Rob,
I enjoyed this visual and verbal treat. I felt like I was walking with you. (I also enjoy taking photographs; this is stunning!)
(I’m here via Poetry Thurs.) Enjoy your weekend.
June 29th, 2007 at 3:03 am
From your description, this must have been a magical day. Hi to Artheo from Florian, I like how you have put links to all the blogs in your sidebar, though there would need to be a lot of scrolling down to find my poem - perhaps I need to add it in my sidebar under Florian’s photo, as you have done with yours.
June 29th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Gel -
Thank you!
Nice to meet you, and it is a pleasure to have you along…
I will come discover your site.
June 29th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Catherine -
It was very magical, thanks!
Having Florian and his poem in the sidebar is an excellent idea.
Including the poem/prose in the sidebar, I thought, was part of the original instructions from Seamus when we became lions. Or maybe, because I saw many of the poems/prose displayed this way, I assumed it was part of the instructions — I’m uncertain now?
June 29th, 2007 at 8:14 am
seven short years separate us. but age has no bearing. not when you walk in the hills and the mountains. the valleys and the dales. i have no problem with people who believe in a creator, no problem at all for when you walk ‘out there’ you become aware that in the grand scheme of things that we are very small and that there is a power far, far greater than us.
excellent poem.
June 29th, 2007 at 8:44 am
CJ -
What is age? We have either been who we are longer or shorter than the rest who are still being…
I am agnostic, it comes naturally to my questioning nature… so I have no opinion, one way or the other, regarding a creator.
My spiritualism (that which evokes and stimulates my spirit) emanates from my experience of the world around me — most profoundly stirred by the wilderness of this planet upon which we spin.
That is a thing far, far greater than us — and of which, we are a part. Yes, in the ‘grand scheme’ we personally are each but a microscopic part.
It never ceases to amaze me, given how very small we are, how large a footprint, in the dust of time, some of us leave. Though it all blows away eventually, some of these footprints do manage to lead the species for a while, along a traceable path in the time space continuum.
In this way, we all have the potential of being ‘creators’, on a scale larger than that of linear procreation. In that way, we all have, I believe, a responsibility to bring our best to our living. In that light, I plan to put a permanent link to your “whispering grass” blog — once my blog here has been fully updated.
Well, I muse — but thank you for the compliment regarding this piece.
July 4th, 2007 at 5:15 am
What a beautiful place. I like the idea of Mount Hood, as it is a family name of mine. The poem is lovely too, especially on the scents, I can smell the cedar, even through this cold.
July 4th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Anna -
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and photo!
Please get well quickly…
July 6th, 2007 at 5:34 am
“This place is my church.” I was right there with you Rob. Nice.
July 6th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Alex -
Thank you very much! I am pleased you could make the journey…
July 6th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
you have a beautiful skill for choosing the perfect words that appeal to the senses. i love your work.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Annie -
That is most generous of you to say so, thank you!
I love to write…
July 10th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Rob, although the photograph is wonderful, I didn’t really need it. Your poem has painted pictures in my head that will send me to bed dreaming of your world.
ViV
July 10th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
I’m glad that the one creature you met on the path was a doe. Dear are a symbol of gentleness, especially toward self. This piece is a treasure trove of just such an awareness. Wonderful and haunting.
Elizabeth
July 10th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
You have a fine appreciation of your surroundings, and your words do great justice to the treasures that fill them.
July 13th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
niceely done….sacred indeed…
July 15th, 2010 at 11:55 am
stunning image,
well plotted theme
remarkable treasure.
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/i-want-2-bee-worthy-of-this-waking-dream/
thank you for sharing!
July 15th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
unbelievably gorgeous Rob - the picture and the poem. I wish I could wiggle my nose and be sitting right there in that spot.