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