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Machu Picchu Poem: A Haiku

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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