Prompted by Poet's Place Cafe

Texture - Sierra Wilderness Early Spring 1974

Sierra Wilderness Early Spring 1974

The canyon loomed low below us.
The only way down,
a narrow icy trail
off the face of the cliff.
We dismounted, checked the packs,
and began to descend.
Second in line,
hugging the rock side
I led my mare
as she gingerly
plodded one hoof after another,
occasionally pausing
to the sound of slate
falling from the ledge.
Time suspended,
eternity in each footstep,
breath slowed and visible,
we picked our way
until finally, the earth flattened.
                   Judi Van Gorder

Notes: ▶︎

Inspired by "Tools of the trade: Sonic Texturing"  
Free Verse
19 lines