Coming around a curve
the path opened onto a red rock
platform hosting cairns.
Rocks stacked by pilgrims
leaving testimonies, silent
invitations for understanding
empathy.
Traditionally, cairns
mark a path or show the way.
These cairns gripped my heart
with knowing. I kept company
with them a long while
because I recognized
pain that color, suffering
of this identical weight,
and perfect joy tenaciously
putting a period on top.
Sedona, Az 2015. Three girlfriends on a road trip. We stayed at Sedona Suites where Ken and Heather treated us like family. The location is away from the hordes and a short walk to Red Rock Park where the silhouette of Cathedral Rock inspires unforgettable moments.
