Anticipating the Camino

A rookie, just beginning, gath’ring stuff,
Excited, but aware of creeping age.
The pack is 15 lbs.; it is enough.
I’m ready for adventure at this stage!

And then, at home, the dog runs ’cross the wall,
And I go after her on my rampage.
She lets me leash her, then I turn and fall,
A fall that bruises. Am I now offstage?

I cannot cancel out, but I am hurt,
And all 500 miles I cannot crawl!
Will time allow my health to reassert,
And do I have the inner wherewithal?

I haven’t done much training, I admit,
But energy and will I can exert.
I do not want to think that I’m unfit;
How can I tragedy here now avert?

Time heals all wounds, we’ve heard now and again,
And I’ve a month yet to regain my grit,
So let me hope and shout a loud amen
And to this pilgrimage now recommit.

It’s not like problems there might not occur
Every day there’re chances – eight, nine, ten –
Allowing things to happen, as it were,
That change the plans and widen up our ken.

So I’ll rest up and try to prove I’m tough.
I’ll keep the dream alive, the blood astir.
A fall perhaps is not at all as rough
As what’s ahead for this good Vermonter!

bobkorzo said:

If your half the hiker you are as a poet.. it will be a breeze.....

Hope your wounds heal quickly and your Camino is Magical.

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I hope I'm TWICE the hiker I am a poet! But the healing has happened. I'm just more careful where I walk in the woods!