Buen Camino!

[The Camino de Santiago, from google]

The Way winds through rolling hills
 of brown and green,
vast wheat-colored prairies,
small villages where weary travelers
can find rest.
The stone bridge arches 
across the river,
and my feet know where
they want me to go.


We are making pilgrimage here,
for our differing reasons.
Some walk here in faith,
some come to believe again.
Some come for miracles.
For others, the Way is the miracle.


No one leaves
this path
unchanged.


At night, the tired dusty faces glow 
around the table,
as pilgrims gather in fellowship.
Gypsy shadows flicker
in the firelight.
Music and voices are loud
after the muttered prayers,
the silent walking, 
of the trail.


At dawn, after too little sleep,
the church bells ring,
and the faithful set out 
once more.


"Where the path of the wind 
crosses that of the stars*"
is carved in stone 
along the trail.


No one walks the Camino by accident.
No soul encountered on the path
is random.


Stones are tossed, with prayers,
at the feet of the sainted.
Stone steeples,
temples of tears,
arise through the 
afternoon's shimmering.


Somewhere along the hot and dusty miles
the heart heals over its broken spot.
The mind comes to love
its life once more.
The soul rests 
more peacefully
within, and the
pilgrim's footsteps
slowly turn towards
Home.


Mary's Mixed Bag over at Real Toads, suggested we go to the movies for our inspiration today. As it happens, this afternoon I watched Martin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez, in The Way, the story of a father completing the pilgrimage his son began, after the son's death on the trail. I would have so loved to make this pilgrimage during my lifetime. What I love about movies is, I can make whatever trip I want, have whatever experience, in comfort, on my couch! (The link to The Way features a short trailer of the movie.) I can now tick the Camino off, on my Bucket List!!!!


* This quote  is carved on a stone tablet along the trail.