Elin Babcock: Meeting Mother Earth On the Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Meeting Mother Earth On the Camino de Santiago de Compostela 

~ Elin Babcock

The heavy thud 

and screeching metal-on-metal 

woke me up.

The night train had stopped.

Backpack, check.

Map, check

Water, check.

I looked for the first yellow arrow

towards Santiago so far away. 

Among the silent steps, 

the smell of spring, 

the grazing cows, sheep, 

the pecking, clucking chickens 

and local dogs, She was reciprocal. 

I felt Her encouragement, 

through my tired boots, to go on. 

I felt it in Her offer to rest

sitting on a moss cushioned rock 

by the wandering river 

my feet in the water. 

Serene

Contemplating, conversing

appreciating Her work

listening to Her chorus of birds. 

Towards the end 

we were disconnected. 

I entered 

the cement and car honking outskirts 

of the huge city 

of Santiago de Compostella

I could no longer hear

Her wisdom. 

© Elin Babcock. All rights reserved.