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 1 takes place in Colombia 
• Before you know takes place in Nepal
• Greece: takes place on the Pelopennese Peninsular

Transcript

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