Inspired By Durango, CO

Last week, I spent some time in a cabin in Durango, CO. I took several pictures of the majesty of the mountains and the trees, but mostly I enjoyed being able to see that same majesty in person looking out the windows, hiking in the forest, or sitting on the back porch. Since it's been a while since my last poetry blog, I decided to try my hand once again at the art. Inspired by the views in the Durango mountains, I wrote a Villanelle. If you are curious about the form of Villanelle poetry, check out my blog post, "Poetry Part I." 

wandering

By Caleb Gottry

When dusty shoes once trekked down mountain paths,

As he walked side by side with family—

Preserved in words and pictures: this he hath.

Aloft, just like the towering champion of Gath,

The trees around provide a canopy,

When dusty shoes once trekked down mountain paths.

The storm clouds threaten to unleash their wrath.

But some stray further irrationally. 

Preserved in words and pictures: this he hath.

The leaves and ants are crushed in aftermath

And yet why dwell on such inanities,

When dusty shoes once trekked down mountain paths?

On forest floor: dead limbs like snakes or snaths

And on the far horizon: fantasies—

Preserved in words and pictures: this he hath.

Now back to cabin and protective lath,

Remembering this time so happily—

When dusty shoes once trekked down mountain paths.

Preserved in words and pictures: this he hath.

Check out my YouTube channel! I posted a new video on Tuesday. With the Durango Mountains as my backdrop, I recorded a full version of Avi Kaplan's Standing By. Take a listen here!