A LONG TIME AGO
As a younger adventurous traveller I had many experiences and lessons to learn. These poems reflect some of those, and they are not at all in chronological order.
THE SUMMER OF 72 — PART ONE
Through the mountains of Colombia
In a crowded bus.
Narrow muddy roads
half blocked by fallen rocks
with 1000 foot drops
wondering what to do
when we start slowly rolling,
rolling over and over,
down the steep hillside
to the river, far below.
Hold on, or float freely?
Bouncing around
inside the yellow bus.
Among the chickens and goats.
It didn’t happened this time!
Arriving in Miraflores relieved,
Hearing music and laughter.
A big village party
To celebrate my arrival?
Of course not
this is a Colombian wake
celebrating death and passing on.
Immersed in village life
time changes meaning,
Mañana becomes the truth
nothing has to happen today
except birth and death.
every event and moment
in between
flows in this time,
With the possibility of a freedom
I never thought possible.
BEFORE YOU KNOW
Before you know Kindness
you must stumble and fall
alone on the path to Annapurna
you must hold your hand to your head
and see blood trickling through your fingers.
Before you experience Caring
you meet the Sherpas
who bandage your wound
and smile at this lone trekker
in the days long before groups would come this way.
Before you experience Hospitality
you find the small village
7 huts perched on the mountain side
offering their bed,
and sharing their food.
Now you know kindness, caring and hospitality
need no spoken words
only a smile and sparkling eyes
Before you you know Prayer
you hitchhike to Brindisi
with a speeding priest
with very thick glasses
with very poor eyesight
and very little petrol,
and you get to the ferry
safely on time.
Before you know Fearlessness
you walk into San Cristobal de las Casas
meet a drunk with a machete
demanding your watch and camera,
led away by his apologetic friends,
your protectors.
You know now there are always
protectors.
Angels wandering around, waiting
to step into your life keeping you safe
until you have fulfilled your earthly purpose.
Before you know Humility
you meet perilous pride
stepping onto the unfinished bridge
the icy Ganges hundreds of feet below
following the nimble Aussie.
Pride takes you to the brink
waits for you to fail.
Just in time you turn back
remembering humility and patience.
The longer way across.
the swaying and swinging rope bridge
to the warm ashram on the other side,
to the welcoming sweet, hot spicy chai.
Before you know true Joy
you did not know you were seeking.
You had not met the One
who knows the mystery and the Truth
The Teacher who knows your soul
The Master who sees your true heart
and is waiting for you to realize
that ever lasting un-interrupted joy
GREECE
I have arrived alone
Twenty years old, no fear
Hitchhiked from London to here.
In a village bar and cafe
where I ended this day,
I’ve nowhere to sleep
but good food to eat
A farmer takes me to his simple home.
I am offered a place to sleep
in a hill farm with goats and sheep
i am grateful for the clean bed
where i can lay my tired head.
I bring up water from the well
his young children watch
while I brush my teeth.
Next day I am on my way again
black robed priests give me a ride
Through the hills and a stop for lunch
the plate of pasta and squid appears.
Squid as black as their robes
my stunned face as transparent
as black ink.
With wise and gracious smiles
the squid is now out of my sight.
On we travel to Nafplion
my 21st birthday to be celebrated
learning about ouzo and rezina
another of life’s milestones to be completed
and an experience not to be repeated!
More adventures and lessons will unfold
material for stories yet to be told!
©MartinStrasmore2022
Note: The marvelous Colombian & Greek music was found on Youtube