Two Poems from Travels to Guatemala

Last week, I treated myself to a week of disconnection. I participated in a Yoga retreat to Lake Atlitlan in Guatemala led by Jess Purtell, one of my favorite DC area Yoga and Pilates instructors. It was a week of relaxation and self-reflection.
Without the distractions of technology, social media, and email, I read, slept, meditated, and faced a few fears, too. I was inspired by the landscape of the lake and the volcanoes. I found myself writing a bit of poetry to capture the experience and the emotions that were present for me. I'm pleased to share with you these two poems, unedited.
"I Am the Mountain"
by Lauren Green
I am the mountain
Strong and majestic
I have been here for millennia
I will be here for more
Trees grow from my earth
Their roots wind through my rocks
Shelters are carved into my boulders
My head is in the clouds
My toes stand in the lapping, laughing water
Sometimes I erupt
I rejoice in the changing world around me
As I stay strong and true to myself.
"The Wind"
by Lauren Green
It blows
And with it, the fear
What will come loose?
What will fly away?
It menaces
The leaves shiver
row by row
The invisible wave smacks my face
And then... a thought
What if the wind was just wind?
What if this wind loves me?
What if this wind heals me?
Blowing sweet burnt wood smells
Blowing away any thoughts but those
In the here and now
Demanded by her presence.

Photo by Meghan Lutz
#poetry #mindfulness #gautemala #retreat #yoga #mountain #lake #wind