Falls, Butterflies, Children and Politics
















COMET FALLS HIKE, MOUNT RAINIER

My brother only slows
for Salmon Berries, ripe and orange,
mid week, mid August, he knows
this mountain where we bring
what we've lost, feet on the ground,
paradise with switchbacks
and elevation gain, only
a couple of miles off road,
and after a record snowfall
we arrive in time
harvesting water and light.

So much light inside the light.
Milton talked about this
and we remember, this light
interpenetrating light.
He was talking about angels
and how they make love
without elbows and knees.
Water over us and on us,
my brother surrounded,
light-soaked, takes one step
towards the vision
receiving him. He wobbles
once, unbalanced,
trekking poles
holding him to stone.

Jim Bodeen
15-18 August 2017



















COMET FALLS PHOTOGRAPHER

Her tripod set between trees
after the last switchback
looking into the falls
in her early 20s.
My brother and I
stop for a last look
from where we stepped
behind the fallen world.

I'd love to take your picture
she says. I have uncles
with your same names.
In the last year
I lost 95 pounds.
I'm still learning how to see.

Jim Bodeen
18 August 2017


















BRINGING GRAND DAUGHTERS
TO PARADISE ON MT. RAINIER

Roots and their surfacing network
make steps for children
and hiding places for chipmunks.
They know trail mix
in their packs can't be shared.
They walk the trail
the week caterpillars arrive
in wild flowers. It becomes
their trail mission to keep each one
from being stepped on.
Walking with pastoral ears, prophetic voices,
they hear rumors.
How many senators again?
They're ten.
What's real and what's fake
is sharp, nothing blurred,
Their selfless acts of witness
bring butterflies into our politics.

Jim Bodeen
August, 2017






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