The Call of the Hills

Badlands National Park. The joy of travelling, discovering nature and unraveling new sights is almost impossible to pen down, but I decided to give it a shot, for this was an experience worth sharing. One feels like they have walked into the sets of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers…but instead of the darkness and dread of Mordor looming over the shoulder, there is just this vast expanse of land, that has stood the test of time and molded itself into a glorious creation, bearing it’s scars with a majestic beauty that is humbling.                                  This one is for the wanderlust in all of us, a unique call that resonates differently with each person. A call for those who will. The Call of the Hills 🙂

You make me wonder what a place this is!

To be in your realm, feeling such bliss

That words in vain attempt to create ,

A picture unmatched, so much to collate!

I walked in to savor the wind in my hair,

To behold your prairies, free and bare

A vast expanse adorning colors so subtle ,

Drawing a cry from within, refusing to settle

Powerful emotions, rushing out of the fence,

Only me and you, just for this once

You smile at the dogs frolicking in your arms,

Watching me grapple with the force of your calm

And lest I imagine I have seen all your glory,

I stumble onto your mountains, a whole another story

Swirls of brown, a red bold and strong,

Flares of yellow woven together like a song

Reminiscent of beauty in all shapes and sizes,

In all color and kind, virtues and vices

I meander through streams, green, white freckled tops,

I walk, run, climb and finally stop

If only! If only I could freeze this frame,

Looking into your depths, so wild yet tame

Can hear your laugh, see your gentle gaze,

The feel of your arm, rousing me from a daze

In the trickling of the melt, the hues of the sand,

The caress of the wind, in the warmth of the land

Rendered speechless, confounding yet simple,

As peace descends, much like in a temple

Cares set aside and worries at bay,

Wandering mind and heart pause to stay

To embrace a moment full of hope and wonder,

The sublime joy of an unexpected surrender

To a wisdom that perhaps, defies many a logic,

In the heart of nature, a special kind of magic

The hand never straying to capture a frame,

Today, choosing not to play a losing game

But imbibing a meaning, a purpose, some sanity,

Amidst rock and dry gravel, some surprising clarity

I feel your satisfaction, a sated thirst,

‘Once again’, you rejoice , ‘As fulfilling as the first’

Your hope restored in the choices you made,

To give us your all, unabashed, till the time you fade

To inspire, to heal, to break few walls,

To set things in motion, some big, some small

I ride back home, heart heavy and yet light

Mind full of your presence, smells, sounds and sights

Memories formed firm, embers burning bright

Fueling a beautiful start, to a fresh chapter in life

Look back I shall, come back I may

Maybe all this, will remain things I just say

But for the present, moments for which I can fight,

I know in my heart, it is going to be alright.