deepundergroundpoetry.com
Hiking to Heaven's Gate
Summer in the southern half of the world, full of ageless wonder
Mountains steep and sheer, rising upwards towards heaven itself
Tropic at the bottom, cooling with each switch back on the way up
Arriving at the stone settlement, a look back in time and antiquity
Deserted village, the city that time forgot, then rediscovered for us
Now just insistent lamas and alpachas, running up and down stone stairs
Air is precious, thin, and unspoiled by our progress, evolution
Damp chillness with each passing cloud that socks in everything
We look in each other's eyes, should we do it, risk the climb
Hike another two thousand feet to the Sun Gate, one step at a time
Finally we go for it, seize the day, start the climb ever upwards
Resting every hundred meters though we are in shape
During one break we hear them, the sound of condors, circling
Watching us with curiousity or perhaps disdain for invading their domain
Looking down we see the route, chart our progress, it doesn't look so far
Spot other adventurers inspired by our ascent, hoping to join us
At long last the summit, the gate carved out of stone by ancient hands
A feeling of an awe and wonder that I rarely feel these days, no longer jaded
Eating warm orange slices, sweet filling wedges, seedless
Looking at your red hair, lit on fire with late afternoon sunlight
Sweet and sweaty kisses, a paused and loving glance
Then hand in hand the descent, one careful step at at time
Mountains steep and sheer, rising upwards towards heaven itself
Tropic at the bottom, cooling with each switch back on the way up
Arriving at the stone settlement, a look back in time and antiquity
Deserted village, the city that time forgot, then rediscovered for us
Now just insistent lamas and alpachas, running up and down stone stairs
Air is precious, thin, and unspoiled by our progress, evolution
Damp chillness with each passing cloud that socks in everything
We look in each other's eyes, should we do it, risk the climb
Hike another two thousand feet to the Sun Gate, one step at a time
Finally we go for it, seize the day, start the climb ever upwards
Resting every hundred meters though we are in shape
During one break we hear them, the sound of condors, circling
Watching us with curiousity or perhaps disdain for invading their domain
Looking down we see the route, chart our progress, it doesn't look so far
Spot other adventurers inspired by our ascent, hoping to join us
At long last the summit, the gate carved out of stone by ancient hands
A feeling of an awe and wonder that I rarely feel these days, no longer jaded
Eating warm orange slices, sweet filling wedges, seedless
Looking at your red hair, lit on fire with late afternoon sunlight
Sweet and sweaty kisses, a paused and loving glance
Then hand in hand the descent, one careful step at at time
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