16May09: Jenny Ta
Journey
A days trek commences at a sacred temple
Clouds overhead, white but ready to rain.
What's in store for us from here?
We traipse along urban sidewalks
clad in white robes and straw hats
wielding sticks and shadowed by chiming bells
Pass farmers tending their fields
Pass a dam and a busy rest center
Monkeys spotted resting by a stream, onlookers excited
A hawk circles overhead, overlooked
Into the forested mountains, along brooks and shallow pools,
scrambling over rocks, hauling our bodies up
Fatigued muscles aching, burning, knees jittering
Refreshing raindrops sneak through the canopy overhead.
Mesmerizing views of the valley below.
Our reward for a days trek?
A quick descent back to yet another sacred place.
Respects paid, prayers left, and we each go our separate ways.
What's in store for us from here?
Written about May 16th, 2009 Nagao-ji to Okubo-ji Henro experience.