An information board in a visitor center described the journey through Big Bend National
park as "an adventure for the perceptions". The phrase sounded quite
elusive, and I could not fathom this until a recent visit. Looking back, it was indeed an
adventure for the perceptions! Here is my attempt to capture this in a poem.
I stare into the distance and feel the emptiness,
I think this desert is barren due to its harshness,
Then, I see plants growing out of rocks and animals appear,
And I sense,
The amazing adaptations that withstand conditions so severe.
I see the mountains stand tall against the sky,
I think they are quite close by,
Then, I travel for miles across the openness,
And I sense,
The great visibility that feigns nearness.
I feel the hot air of the desert against my face,
I think I'll be consumed by the heat in this place,
Then, I head up the mountains that form a basin,
And I sense,
The refreshing coolness offered by the elevation.
I spot a line in the huge wall ahead,
I think it is a tiny crack instead,
Then, I cross the sprawling desert to arrive at this wall,
And I sense,
The perpetual forces that carved a canyon over the long haul.
I wade across the creek by the gentle muddy river,
I think it is meek and has no power,
Then, I hear the gritting sound of water with dirt,
And I sense,
The hidden potential that continues to transform the inert.
I reach a mountain base hiking a tough trail,
I think I am powerful and will prevail,
Then, I look up and see the towering mass so strong,
And I sense,
The adventure for the perceptions that I have been taken along.
I stare into the distance and feel the emptiness,
I think this desert is barren due to its harshness,
Then, I see plants growing out of rocks and animals appear,
And I sense,
The amazing adaptations that withstand conditions so severe.
 |
| Barren desert |
 |
| Desert flora and fauna |
I see the mountains stand tall against the sky,
I think they are quite close by,
Then, I travel for miles across the openness,
And I sense,
The great visibility that feigns nearness.
 |
| Mountains not so far away |
 |
| Great visibility in the land of distances |
I feel the hot air of the desert against my face,
I think I'll be consumed by the heat in this place,
Then, I head up the mountains that form a basin,
And I sense,
The refreshing coolness offered by the elevation.
 |
| Feeling the heat on the desert floor |
 |
| The cool Chisos Basin |
I spot a line in the huge wall ahead,
I think it is a tiny crack instead,
Then, I cross the sprawling desert to arrive at this wall,
And I sense,
The perpetual forces that carved a canyon over the long haul.
 |
| Seems like a thin line even from across the creek |
 |
| At base of Santa Elena Canyon |
I wade across the creek by the gentle muddy river,
I think it is meek and has no power,
Then, I hear the gritting sound of water with dirt,
And I sense,
The hidden potential that continues to transform the inert.
 |
| Walking along the gentle, muddy river filled with grit |
 |
| Wading back after hiking to base of Santa Elena Canyon |
I reach a mountain base hiking a tough trail,
I think I am powerful and will prevail,
Then, I look up and see the towering mass so strong,
And I sense,
The adventure for the perceptions that I have been taken along.
 |
| Boquillas Canyon trail |
 |
| Can you spot me ? |
Looks like a beautiful place. I had never heard of it before. Thanks for the write up.
ReplyDeleteYes, very different from what I had expected. You should check out next time you visit here
DeleteLong time since I read a poem of yours...Remember once we three,me u and Sangeetha went for a poetry competition in our school and all 3 of us got prize?
ReplyDeleteI remember going for such competition but not the prize part. I also remember how we used to write stuff just to get it into the school magazine.
Delete