Hikers' Poems

[PhxRiles]

I recently read "Whistler's Way" by William Monk chronicling his Pacific Coast Trail hike in 2019. I was especially moved by two poems that he had written. The first was titled "That is You, This is Me" and I thought very much described what a Camino felt like. We all Camino at our own pace. The last two lines say a lot. Here it is:

I've listened to what you've had to say,
But let me be clear to you today.
I may go fast, while you go slow.
Who is right? We neither know.
I wake each day with my goal,
While your days are a random roll.
To judge each other, we are free,
But please remember, that is you, this is me.

The second was titled "A Hiker's Prayer.'

With that first step, you can't change your mind,
you will leave your love, leave her behind.
Hike on, my boy, hike on, hike on.
There will be hunger, there will be thirst,
there will be pain that will surely hurt.
Hike on, my boy, hike on, hike on.
Hike each day, that endless trail,
you will not quit, you will not fail.
Hike on, my boy, hike on, hike on.
When you are lost, it is true,
angels will watch over you.
Hike on, my boy, hike on, hike on.
When you take those final steps,
and it is time to no longer roam,
go home, my boy, go home, go home.