Hiking Mt. Kigali
A February Poem: Call to adventure
At the crest of the hill
You will find her
Clothed in mist
And whispers of the morning dew
Patiently waiting for you
You will feel her nudge your feet forward
Up through the muddy pathways
In between the homesteads
Through the smells of nduma and chai
And banana leaves draping the way
Step by step
Sweat dripping across your face
Knees straining yet still firm
Her call will carry you higher
Turn back to these hills
She will say
Nod to them
Bow to the Nyaborongo
As she glides along the valley
Peacefully cradled in the troughs
When you arrive
Her voice will ring in the air
With songs of flycatchers and cuckoos
And of pines and mimosas
Swaying in praise
Language, you will find
Has no place here
Instead, silence.
As she breathes herself into you
And retreats back to her home.
Humbled.
Content.
Grateful.
Yes,
So deeply grateful
To having welcomed her morning call.
I keep wondering: What more seeks y/our adventure/ing? What awaits when “fear of” remains at the mountain's base?
Beautifully written!
Thank you, Melisa! 🤗