Visiting the Grand Canyon

[Jerryk]

Visiting the Grand Canyon (free-verse)

Welcome, friends, to our Grand Canyon;
now that you have reached your goal,
from the height of this plateau
you have full view of ONE BIG HOLE.

Since it’s more than one mile down
to its lowest point, standing here
makes all look small and quite unreal.
Gigantic boulders do appear
as pebbles on a hiking path;
even deeper yet, there runs the wild
and muddy Colorado River.

From here, it looks as though a child
relinquished her hair ribbon
to the whimsies of an abrupt gust . . . .
Folks, there is a friendly ranger
who answers questions—if he must.

But he’s bound not to divulge
Grand Canyon’s age; he’d been told
“Geological facts offend,”
but he’ll say, “It’s VERY old.”

At Hermit’s Rest: A tourist gawks,
throws trash into the abyss, shrugs
off this ranger’s admonishment,
then kicks at empty water jugs
on littered ground.

But he’s a fool. Short distance down
the walking trail, one finds steep drops
that one must heed. To fools—of no use is a rail.

A sky-high net should run around
the seven-hundred mile long rim.
Hey! Watch that fancy dude! He’s all
decked out in Rhinestone Cowboy trim,

Western hat, wide belt with silver
buckle, large as Mother’s serving plate;
he postures on a boulder’s edge . . .
now slips and yelps, but it’s too late.

He’d lost his foothold on the ledge,
his life expires in screams of fear—
Enjoy your stay, but be aware:
here, Dodos “fall” extinct each year.

[Mizzy]

Places of such magnitude & danger
need respect Jerry.....
I really enjoyed your write on such
an awesome wonder...
Alas I've only seen it on the net !

Thanks for the post...........Mick.

[Jerryk]

Places of such magnitude & danger
need respect Jerry.....
I really enjoyed your write on such
an awesome wonder...
Alas I've only seen it on the net !

Thanks for the post...........Mick.

Thanks for reading, Mick;
I visit the Canyons each year, and other Arizona canyons as well; it never ceases to amaze me how idiotic some visitors can be. Charles Darwin was right; the (mentally) unfit won't survive but go the way of the dodo bird. Some five million people visit the Canyons each year, therefore it's a small percentage that meet with avoidable accidents. Appreciate your comment, Mick. Take care.
Jerry

[Sasha]

I just love what you did here, and how you made it sound like - through a tourist guide's voice painting such wonderful images, and as someone who has never been there before unfortunately, I say, you did a fine job with the descriptions, it's truly amazing, and your ability to write what you see and give the reader reflection on the images you see and make them feel as if they are there, and as well emphasise on the danger of such places, along their majestic beauty, yes, you did a fine job with one!
Thanks a lot for sharing!

Sash

[Jerryk]

I just love what you did here, and how you made it sound like - through a tourist guide's voice painting such wonderful images, and as someone who has never been there before unfortunately, I say, you did a fine job with the descriptions, it's truly amazing, and your ability to write what you see and give the reader reflection on the images you see and make them feel as if they are there, and as well emphasise on the danger of such places, along their majestic beauty, yes, you did a fine job with one!
Thanks a lot for sharing!

Sash

Thanks for your generous comment, Sasha;
yes, at times I wish that I might have the Grand Canyon all to myself, but then, why not share this natural wonder with others-- Another beautiful spot here in the US and Canada is Niagara Falls, but the Canyon is the grandest of them all. Not to forget, we have the Canyon de Chelly and quite a few others that are magnificent. Thanks for your appreciation,
Jerry

[dornicks]

Reading through your piece was almost like a guided tour. I'll never see the Grand Canyon but feel I know it better now. Sadly there will always be people who ignore the warning signs, who will have time for regret on the way down. Congratulations on the Spotlight,

dornicks

[dwells]

A travelogue and a wry warning: natural selection in action. Very amusing and I do read about these folks on occasion; usually taking their last photos before the unexpected plunge. Thank goodness that million dollar life insurance policy was current and in force. Follow the money...
Scuba diving trips also work very well for the spousally encumbered, but I digress Jerry.
Where was I now, oh yes that ledge I think; "Honey hold my hand. Honey! - AIYEEeee!
Congrats on the well-deserved Spotlight! I detected a lurking ABCB embedded rhyme, sometime.
I recall a new observation platform over a gorge where the visitors walk on Plexiglas. Maybe that was Chicago Sear Tower...
Remember to paint your lawn when they turn off the water, cheers! - Dan

[rupertpupkin]

Great job with this one and well done on a most deserving spotlight.

[Jerryk]

Reading through your piece was almost like a guided tour. I'll never see the Grand Canyon but feel I know it better now. Sadly there will always be people who ignore the warning signs, who will have time for regret on the way down. Congratulations on the Spotlight,

dornicks

Thank you, Dornicks;
I know, one can't see all the fabulous wonders of the world, but being aware of them, even just on line, can be the eyeopener. It's true, some people are fools--and it is a long way down. Just some months ago the following occurred: a foreign visitor was videoed kicking a trusting squirrel off the ledge. The clip was shown on t.v. Total madness, but then again, with over a million visitors each year, what can one expect? Thank you for the nice comment,
Jerry

[Jerryk]

A travelogue and a wry warning: natural selection in action. Very amusing and I do read about these folks on occasion; usually taking their last photos before the unexpected plunge. Thank goodness that million dollar life insurance policy was current and in force. Follow the money...
Scuba diving trips also work very well for the spousally encumbered, but I digress Jerry.
Where was I now, oh yes that ledge I think; "Honey hold my hand. Honey! - AIYEEeee!
Congrats on the well-deserved Spotlight! I detected a lurking ABCB embedded rhyme, sometime.
I recall a new observation platform over a gorge where the visitors walk on Plexiglas. Maybe that was Chicago Sear Tower...
Remember to paint your lawn when they turn off the water, cheers! - Dan

Dan,
Free-wheeling spirit that I am, I rhymed certain verses and free-versed others intentionally. Yeah, we have the Sky walk Grand Canyon West. It's a weird feeling looking through that glass floor; I don't care for it. I used to have a book that mentioned the amazing number of people that took the plunge by accident of murder. I must confess: some 30 years ago I stood at the edge of one of those ridges spitting tobacco juice into the abyss. Calculated risk; but I might have become a dodo myself. My wife nearly fainted. Well, I was young then, and foolish; maybe 45ish or so. And I shall paint my gravel yard green, thank you, Jerry
Jerry

[Jerryk]

Great job with this one and well done on a most deserving spotlight.

Thanks Rupert;
it's always good to hear that one succeeded in one's effort. This write was easy because I love the Canyon and this great state. Some day I must post some pictures to illustrate the beauty of this area. Thank you for reading and commenting,
Jerry

[Dew]

Congrats on the spotlight jerry! - dew

[candlewitch]

dear Jerry,

there is a whole world full of fools. unfortunately, they breed and raise more fools, who eventually breed... it is a cycle, monotonous and long. I much enjoyed your poem about one of the world wonders and a national treasure. and the demise of a few fools. great to see that this one was spotlighted! congrats!

always, Cat

[Jerryk]

Congrats on the spotlight jerry! - dew

Dew;
at times even a blind hen finds a kernel . . . only kidding. Thanks for the congrats,
Jerry

[Jerryk]

dear Jerry,

there is a whole world full of fools. unfortunately, they breed and raise more fools, who eventually breed... it is a cycle, monotonous and long. I much enjoyed your poem about one of the world wonders and a national treasure. and the demise of a few fools. great to see that this one was spotlighted! congrats!

always, Cat

Thanks Cat;
I used to think that Darwin's law of natural selection would eventually decimate those idiots; no chance! They breed faster than natural selection is able to squash them. My wife and I had only one son. He turned out just fine and became a nuclear engineer. Nevertheless, we stopped reproducing for fear that we might not be so lucky in the future and sire an idiot--or five. The couples that can least afford all those many kids have the most. How did I get on this subject? Oh, yeah, Cat; you brought it up. Thanks for reading, your appreciation of the Canyon, and the congrats,
Jerry

[tangerinepie]

On reading your poem, I thought how splendid to have a tour of such an amazing natural creation.I have only seen documentaries about it, but really appreciate it's rugged beauty..Having just been to the Canadian Niagara recently, I remembered a co writer and I had written a piece about it as well.It also has an inspiring history..This is a great spotlight choice..Tangie..

[Jerryk]

On reading your poem, I thought how splendid to have a tour of such an amazing natural creation.I have only seen documentaries about it, but really appreciate it's rugged beauty..Having just been to the Canadian Niagara recently, I remembered a co writer and I had written a piece about it as well.It also has an inspiring history..This is a great spotlight choice..Tangie..

Hi T.pie;
I have visited the Falls on the Canadian side as well; it's truly overpowering. My wife and I stood in one of those caves right next to the cascading water. In contrast, the Canyon is serene, yet magnificent. Geological facts suggest that the canyon is some 6 million years old, but rangers won't really divulge that fact because some bible scholars claim the Canyon was carved by Noah's Flood. (Google the controversy.) Personally, I believe the moon is made of cheese, dinosaurs never roamed the earth, and the earth is flat. Ho-hum. Anyhow, you must see this natural wonder for yourself and marvel. Thanks for reading and the nice comment.
Jerry

[everhopeful]

This feels like the kind of insight you just don't get from travel brochures, with just enough in the way of subtle wit (plus one big pratfall at the end!) along the way to make me smile. I'm sure that like most tourist attractions, a few idiots are more than capable of ruining it for the rest of us, but your admiration for the sight and distaste for some of those viewing it made for an original read.
Congratulations on the spotlight!

[Jerryk]

This feels like the kind of insight you just don't get from travel brochures, with just enough in the way of subtle wit (plus one big pratfall at the end!) along the way to make me smile. I'm sure that like most tourist attractions, a few idiots are more than capable of ruining it for the rest of us, but your admiration for the sight and distaste for some of those viewing it made for an original read.
Congratulations on the spotlight!

Hi Everhopeful;
yes, those idiots and other mindless oddball visitors aren't ever mentioned in travel brochures, lol. One family I'd met spent 2 days traveling to the Canyon, then checked into a hotel, had a big dinner, but spent just 45 minutes looking at the hole in the ground. Oh yeah, they took a few pictures and departed, reminding me of "Kilroy was here." Some tourists want to cover ground and move on quickly. Thanks for your comment and the congrats. Jerry

[mikecaalaska]

Jerry, many thanks - you have expressed the canyon very well. You, like I, are a version of a desert rat- in any ways the Colorado desert is magical, and in many ways so harsh by those who look around it. Again thanks from a guy who loves the desert and it's magical aura.

Mike