Category Archives: Nature

The Challenge of Climbing Mountains

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most think the challenge of climbing mountains
is reaching the top
sweating
aching
heart pounding
pushing past fear
step by step
to finally stand victorious
in the rare air
above the clouds of ordinary being
surrounded by distant views
of unclaimed summits

but
with each descending step
the real work begins
returning to the valley of everyday existence
the spirit begins to shrink
atrophy
for it can no longer be fed
by ordinary life

the real challenge of climbing mountains
is never surrendering the summits of our dreams
to stand alone
bold and free
with only mountaintops
for company

tio stib

2016, 2019, 2020

You might also enjoy  Breaking Trail, Dead Horse Point 

Hell’s Canyon

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but the map says it’s here!
icicle creek
this is supposed to be icicle creek

I stared
at the cascading tumble of roasting rocks

what made you think icicles could exist in Hell’s Canyon?

but the map says…

maps say a lot of things
doesn’t mean you should trust them

no argument
after nine parched miles
10,000 anguished steps
past three dry gulches
the advertised water had not appeared
although, in fairness to the map
rattlesnake creek had partially lived up to it’s name

even weighted by a fifty pound pack
adrenalin had defied gravity
launching my ten foot leap
over the awakened, angry rattler

guess I should have filled more than one water bottle this morning

you think?
what’s the next creek called?

a drop of sweat splattered on the map

surprise

perfect

tio stib, 2016, from a thirsty memory

You might also enjoy : The Crossing, The Campfire

Two Rivers

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ahead
the canyon wall plunged
fell from the sea of sky
the river
dancing from shadow to sunlight
promising a new world
vanished

the rapid exploded

bouncing
white water splashes
rainbow mist
giggles
screams

the raft was spit
into beyond

and she was there
clear, quiet, confident
two rivers
two lifetimes
flowing
swirling
joining
at last

together

a shared smile
two travelers
now one

tio stib, 2016

You might also enjoy  Life Is Like a Broken Egg, Veiled Vision

Humans and Nature

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I found this video discussion by a wise woman elder to be particularly pertinent to life in today’s world. I hope it provokes your mind to question your personal relationship with the natural world you live in.

Here;s the link to Lorelei’s video”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwibBbqsiKk&feature=em-subs_digest

Enjoy, and make your world better!

Tio Stib Signature

Why We Need to Listen

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Here’s a link to a YouTube post from Lorelai La, a woman whose wisdom and insight continually inspires me. This video, “Why We Need to Listen,” feels particularly timely today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHqfwHbyL7o&feature=em-subs_digest

“The first rule of love is to listen” -Paul Tillich

Tio Stib Signature

Ridge Runner

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I broke onto a flat plateau
into a world I chanced to know
after hours of hillside sweat
I stopped to breathe a land yet met

beyond in vast infinity
blue mountains rolled in majesty
and from the ridge on which I perched
a path led on
a primal urge

Surrounded in a flower sea
the buzz of life enveloped me
bright colors fed my starving eyes
a soul connect with ancient ties

floating on forever feet
lungs filled deep with earthly sweets
body lost and spirit led
I followed on to find my bed

this a world I’d only dreamed
so many years
so many schemes
until at last a mountain climbed
brought me home
to Nature’s mind

tio stib, 2015

You might also enjoy: The Crossing, Dead Horse Point

Ridge Runner

by

I broke onto a flat plateau
into a world I chanced to know
after hours of hillside sweat
I stopped to breathe a land yet met

beyond in vast infinity
blue mountains rolled in majesty
and from the ridge on which I perched
a path led on
a primal urge

Surrounded in a flower sea
the buzz of life enveloped me
bright colors fed my starving eyes
a soul connect with ancient ties

floating on forever feet
lungs filled deep with earthly sweets
body lost and spirit led
I followed on to find my bed

this a world I’d only dreamed
so many years
so many schemes
until at last a mountain climbed
brought me home
to Nature’s mind

tio stib, 2015

You might also enjoy: The Crossing, Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point

by

15649986108_30161cb9bb_z                                                                                    Image by Fred Moore

stone silent sat
the silhouette
in front of screaming sky
gold, orange, red
and brilliant blue
a day had drifted by

time ran lost
through canyons steep
sandstone carved by gods
warm wind echoed
ancient feet
ghosts passed by with nods

as my soul watched
from Life above
the dream below unfold
a gringo Buddha
slowly smiled
at stories yet
untold

tio stib, 2015

You might also enjoy: Promise, Imagine Water