Photo by James Horner
October 8, 2017
“I used to be fast, strong, and fearless.
But now I am slow, weak, and wary.”
On Day 5 of our Camino
I felt while walking
A little lurch to the left.
My backpack again.
A bossy Canadian hiker
Stopped me,
Pulled my straps tight,
It helped.
No, not really.
On Day 6, the lurch was a list
Like a ship taking on water.
Over I went, 45 degrees to port.
A hiking pole kept me from capsizing.
Compensating to the right,
The throb in my back threw me.
I became slow, weak, and wary.
On Day 7 my ship righted itself
As I walked straight as a mast.
Then it happened.
Leftward, downward
Every step a wave of pain
The pilgrimage of a lifetime
ending.
No más. No se puede caminar.
Desculpeme, Carlota.
como dijo el poeta Macias,
Yo soy cativo de miña tristura.
