Timberline
A Poem Inspired by the Mountains of Colorado
Timberline
She keeps pushing herself up up above the oxygen
There is room for the trees down below
This height is hers
To claim
She climbs as the air thins
Breathes deeply
Threadbare dregs
She needs to see the vista
To know the beauty for herself
Most will stop before the trees run out
It’s too high
Too hard
Too exposed
She inches closer
Step by step
Others stop while the air is thick
Not her
She leaves behind the abundant breaths
Trudging the treacherous gait of a woman determined
To exist at the heights
Weaving in and out
Cloud shadows
Come and go
Alone at the top
She will be, yes
But not lonely
Wholly herself
It’s strange she had to climb so high to feel so grounded
Earth is hers
And her
She has never pushed past the safety of the forest
Till now
Timberline gazes up at her from far below
Jealous of her audacity
She smiles
Sits
Breath after slow breath
Anchoring to Life
To her
Self
I am currently on a month-long sojourn in the Western United States visiting family and friends. I am ready to get back into my weekly posts and looking forward to connecting with you all.
I would love to hear from you! How is your summer going and what are you finding challenging right now?
As always, thank you for reading.
Stef