Thursday, May 24, 2007

Poem: Grand Canyon

When I stood before the Grand Canyon, I was speechless. No pictures I had seen before could have done justice to the sense of overwhelm one feels upon viewing this marvel for the first time. Eyes wander from place to place, searching each aspect of the rock. Simply put, the Grand Canyon is beautiful and a testament to nature's magnificence.

I told a friend of mine that I did not think I could describe it in words and openly wondered if I would ever be able to write a poem that would do justice to the Grand Canyon. With that in mind, I went for a modest approach. For those of you who have witnessed the Grand Canyon firsthand, perhaps this touches on what you saw. To all the others out there, maybe this will grant you a small taste and lure you to see for yourselves.

Grand Canyon


Built with patience of endless time
Years erode and shapes define
Layers yield their counted age
Eyes can see but cannot gauge
Stand agape with awe inspired
Image reads of life transpired
Cliffs reach out to touch the sky
Paths lead down where rivers lie
Colors, shapes and shadows meld
Here, a place forever held
Walk away yet never part
Body leaves but not the heart

Copyright SGW 2007

10 comments:

writerwoman said...

On the whole beautiful. This line stands out to me
Stand agape with awe inspired

I think it captures the essence of the experience well.

Thanks for taking part in PWB celebration of National Poetry Month.

paisley said...

beautifully worded piece... i know i have seen it only once... but have never forgotten the grandeur that i experienced when i was there....

Anonymous said...

Yes, very nice. I've never been to the Grand Canyon, but of course I've seen pictures; I get a sense of the breadth and depth of it by your poem, that is for sure!

Poetmeister...on the road to Parnassus

BTW, it's only through my own ingenuity that you're able to read this comment. Your comment box does not expand and it's nearly impossible to find a way to fill in the name and pswd etc. fields. I over-rode it because I am who I am. ;>

STP said...

Thank you all for the comments. The Canyon is a place that will remain alive in mind forever.

Poetmeister: I am not sure what problem you had posting. The comment box comes right up and if you do not have a google/blogger identity, posting with an Open ID, Name or Anonymous is a one click endeavor. Thanks anyway for dropping by.

Paterika Hengreaves said...

Marvellous ode you have paid to the Grand Canyon. I have seen the beauty of it as captured in pictures taken by my sister who visited it. The poem has added another dimension to this wonder of nature. The last line of the poem is edged in my mind.

qualcosa di bello said...

your words took me instantly back to the edge of the east rim...i could feel that wind & see the beauty...fabulous!!

STP said...

Thank you. We did the east rim, too, via the south rim. Then we exited into Navajo Nation. I also did the north rim via helicopter that flew from the south over the east and circled over the west. Way cool!

Hesham said...

Hello,

I really love this poem. I am a music student and would like to set this poem . Can we correspond over e-mail? I want to talk to you about the poem, and if I can get permission s\to do so. Thanks.

Flagstaff, AZ

STP said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jess Pope said...

I am a Park Ranger on the North Rim and am putting together a program on the poetry and prose that the canyon inspires. I'd love to quote this poem, can you please email me your name?

Jessica_Pope@nps.gov

Thank you!