Perspective



The mountains are calling and I must go. (John Muir)
So reads my bumper-sticker
So go I must  
Walk the talk
Clear the cluttered air
Get fresh thoughts
The trail will lead me on
To new vistas
Fresh perspective
Dive into strong, bold nature
Departure from strong, bold cops
Too quick with their batons
Too brash with their tear gas
A soak in a mountain lake is what I need
A curtain of trees surrounding me
Shields shoved in reporters’ faces 
Their backs beaten with clubs
Maybe I’ll spy a bear cub
Or a bald eagle
          Flying over the peace-keepers
Helicopters relay the news
Send the command:
Push forward!
Push them back!
Blistered backs
Beaten heads and bloody hands
Scraped and smashed fingers 
Swollen and blistered feet from hours in shoes
Proud scars from scrambling up trails
The ecstasy of pain when the realization hits
That fresh perspective comes from stepping back
Taking the wide view, the good, long look
Seeing the world in its whole scope and history
Witnessing the ancient wisdom of the hills
The old sages in rocking chairs
Nodding heads on front porches
Knowing our day will come, marching on
By any means necessary, a dream will be realized.

K. Kungie
6/3/2020
Northridge, CA


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