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In the Company of Strangers

Third day of this trek descending
rapidly from cloud forest into high jungle habitat,
alive with hummingbirds and orchids,
her Q'ero porters guide the tour group
to Intipunko, "Gate of the Sun".
At 4:30 AM and 10,000 feet altitude
biting cold cracks stone, eats exposed flesh,
stealing breath as she gulps pale sunlight.
Coca leaves wadded in her cheek
forge mind against the acts of atmosphere.
A lifelong pilgrimage to this purpose,
observation of the sunrise over Machu Picchu. 

The Q'ero pass around a sack of pemmican.
What meat it is, she doesn't ask.
It smells of canvas, but tastes of apricot.
Her fate entrusted to these guides,
she eats what they offer.
This Inca Trail is marked with their scent;
they follow signposts painted on thin air,
read morning mists like road maps.
They have brought her to this citadel,
Lost City of Peace and Power.
Her life for now at equinox,
shaman-guides have opened her vision
to the hitching post of the sun.

Author notes

CAT = Your best friend ... Author = A60sMan

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 9 of 9

  • Daisy Ballerina
    January 5
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    Very good!
    Thank you for entering my contest!


  • micol
    January 19, 2008
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    Whether spiritual or physical, it is a journey to be envied. In the first, the revelation through vision--sinrise over a site of mythic power, something longed for for years. In the second, the revelation through discovery of self in relation to others, of trust, of faith. Both fulfilled, both crucial to her self. Well handled, well written.


  • nitefire
    January 11, 2008

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    Wow

    The imagery here is vivid and amazing. This is obviously a topic you know something about. Honestly with this piece I was taken aback! Great work!


  • amaranthine lover gold member
    January 10, 2008

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    ***

    This is an awesomely written piece, I like how you captured the travels to seeing Machu Picchu. Well written and stated, thanks for entering it


  • Sinnastarr silver member
    December 29, 2007

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    This was an enjoyable read. Very vivid imagery here. I felt like i was right there with you. You truly did capture a moment with this piece.
    Well done.
    Thank you so much for entering my contest and I wish you the best of luck.


  • CarolDesjarlais silver member
    December 28, 2007

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    Beatuifully penned....This Inca Trail is marked with their scent;
    they follow signposts painted on thin air,
    read morning mists like road maps.


  • anaisnais
    December 11, 2007

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    Great imagery here, can feel the cold, smell and taste the meat, and like how you descripe the Incas direction - landmarks - as signs in the air and how you paint sun-rise as a hitching post. Lovely throughout.


  • Dalaney gold member
    December 10, 2007

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    this is more of a tale than a poem...a woman's tale of adventure and life and passion...I like this very much,
    and would very much like to know your inspiration...

    Love, Lane


  • bethan-gaze
    December 10, 2007

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    This piece is fascinating ... I had a quick flash at your Author's Notes just to check we were still on the same planet ... think we are so here's what I make of it ...

     

    I prefer the second stanza to the first, not sure why, maybe it's because I feel at home with the "sack of pemmican" (bound to be veggie if it whiffs of apricot - divine!).  I love the line "this Inca Trail is marked with their scent" and the whole dimension of this stanza is full on, well crafted, and oozing imagery and metaphor.  You really do take me there in this piece.

    The first stanza, on reflection and after a third read and digest, gets better as I am now fully acquainted with what you're banging your gums about (!!).  The Machu Picchu sunrise has got to be one of the most amazing sights on this planet (haven't been or seen - yet) ... the build up to this leads on very nicely to the second stanza.

     

    I love this poem.  At first, I thought you'd been on the mushrooms but then I "got it"!!  (I do have this tendency to get there in the end ...) ... the trip sounds amazing.  After my initial reaction of Star Trek revisited or tenth mushroom digested, the poem began to make sense for me and it is a beautiful write and those last three lines are mesmerizing.  You deserve to win with this one! x

1 - 9 of 9