Sacred Shasta Snows

cloud veiled Shasta sunset ~d nelson

Resting fully now
still held in a vortex
of sacred energies
over 16 thousand feet high.
I’m too tired to think,
from where, or how;
it hasta be Shasta
who offers a vibrant
wintry playground
upon frozen
life-giving
precipitation.

cruising on a groomed track

Thank you legs
for Nordic skiing
with mountain firmness
the slippery slopes,
icy crispness
and powdery freshness.

blustery stairway to heaven

Thank you arms
for teamwork help
with legs
poling me forward
& keeping me upright
when the ground
was literally close at hand.

snow camp homestead

Thank you mind
for the idea to pilgrimage here,
but not thinking much
when unnecessary;
allowing for physical,
spiritual connections
to be fully experienced.

backcountry breaking trail

Thank you heart
for carrying the weight
with strength
of a friendship
that makes exertion
seem joyful & lighter
than a snowflake
falling from heaven
to mother earth.

getting found in xc ski meditation

even in a blizzard there’s sunshine

climbing up cloud nine

Shasta’s clarity

calm before ice storm

Gratitude for these lungs
with each in-breath of chilled air
that all may enjoy a playful day,
and with each warm out-breath,
that all feel safe,
satisfied & connected
to what is real & sacred
in & surrounding them.