Semeru

Climbing to peaks unknown with weary legs… weary mind…
companions pushing forth, seeking higher heights and greater
glories – inside my heart just seeks solace in the arms of the creator of
all spread out before me. Breathing and pressing, tuning everything
out just to focus for one step more, the aches and pains reminding that
death is not yet to come – unwelcome and unwanted for a time, two
times, half a time yet.

Rest found in frozen valleys beneath coughing volcano,
huddled next to the tiniest of fires that cook a semi-processed
artificial meat that tastes so good, crushing almonds to add to the flavor.
Cramped in a junior tent, three big guys find sleep at early hours
for the sun is lost and there is little left but recuperation needed
– at least for one. Rising early – ten hours later – the chill
remains but hands are no longer numb, and neither is the heart and mind that
has thawed and has begun to prepare itself for the long road ahead.
Truly, the means justify the ends, and freedom is found not in the ash
at our feet, but the road left in our dust.

who's afraid of elephants?

apparently I am.

a little bit.

sometimes.

come on, they're a little bit scary.

and cute.

DISTANT

Does one hear the betrayals sounds at the coming of
pattered feet? Speak softly and beware curious words that tell not what
burns desires but crushes the bones. Echoes resound softly in pale
moonlit skies, determined to rationalize histories that are not to be
repeated, but the downward spirals so ensure – to what end? Creation
dawned and so must set – does not all life give birth unto death itself?
No beginning does not have an end – so this heart surely recalls,
remembers, and resounds in the hollow chambers of sweet sadness where tears
are never dried, where laughter is never heard, and smiles are distant
memories in distant places in distant lives.