Adventurous traveler and deep thinker Betty Deitch joined our 2018 Machu Picchu trip and wrote a beautiful Haiku (俳句) about the experience. Characterized by 17 symbols and 3 versus, this historic form of poetry is both beautiful and through-provoking. This touched us so much that we just had to share!
A Haiku Poem by Betty Deitch
1) Ride Vista dome train
Trees racing past in grey mist
Machu Picchu come
2) Spiritual journey
I’m eager and excited
Follow in footsteps
3) Hike the Inca trail
4 days for the brave and true
Me ease and comfort
4) They climb up Sun gate
Incomparable Sunrise
Worth the lengthy wait
Salineras, the Incan salt flats in the Sacred Valley
Views of the mountains around Machu Picchu
5) Gold silver treasures
Conquistadors took away
But not ‘Lost City’
6) Only locals know
Hidden by massive jungle
Unable to view
7) Beautiful vistas
Made famous around the world
By Hiram Bigham
8) Sand and stony rock
Waters rushing down below
Mixed green trees palette
9) Fortress on four sides
Surrounded by the mountains
Many lookouts there
10) Machu Picchu is
A mystery how it’s formed
Residence of King
Terraces at Moray in the Sacred Valley
11) Sheer rock formations
Quarry from within on top
Use metals and stone
12) Guide through ancient ruins
Learn about how Incas live
A bright perfect day
13) Room with three windows
Allow the sun to come through
See the solstices
14) Astronomers were
Tell path of Sun moon and stars
For agriculture
15) Terraces abound
Irrigation systems too
Rainfall flow downhill
16) Laborers not slaves
Work hard for one another
Awarded own land
17) Gigantic stones fit
Without use any mortar
Entrance slightly bent
Terraces at Pisaq in the Sacred Valley
18) Inca Royalty
Visitors from many trails
Plenty food and wine
19) Temple of the Sun
Priests hold ceremonies there
Make sacrifices
20) Three are great symbols
Condor puma and the snake
Represent three realms
21) Shadow on stone clock
Know about the calendar
Follow solstices
22) World Heritage site
Machu Picchu means old peak
A lifetime journey
23) Climb up to the top
Zenith of accomplishment
I can do it too!
24) Many tourists come
To widen their horizons
Fulfill their own dreams
Poem by Betty Deitch
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