When Kim and I Hiked Half Dome

Redundant. Repetitive. Repeating. Effort. There isn’t much else to say about Hiking Half Dome. I wrote this poem based on “This is the House that Jack Built” theme. The redundant, repetitive and repeating nature of the poem captures what Kim and I did that day. It was a great accomplishment. One of my friends said it was, “Awesome,” and reminded me that she doesn’t use that word lightly. I have to agree. It was awesome. It is especially awesome to have a friend like Kim, who is willing to climb mountains with you... and for no apparent reason. It WAS my 40th birthday and I guess that IS something. But I remain thankful for Kim, who nurtured my goal with encouragement and wouldn’t let me hike alone. Thanks Kim! I love ya!
- Shirin

When Kim and I Hiked Half Dome

This is the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is where we pressed on despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is where we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is where we climbed the stairs with thigh wrenching flights
When we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is where we grappled with cables that tested our might
When we climbed the stairs with thigh wrenching flights
When we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on further despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is where we we met our courage and mastered our fright
When we grappled with cables that tested our might
When we climbed the stairs of thigh wrenching flights
When we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on further despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is how we conquered the rock that is shrouded in white
When we met our courage and mastered fright
When we grappled with cables that tested our might
When we climbed the stairs of thigh wrenching flights
When we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on further despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is when the day was done but not the light
When we conquered the rock that is shrouded in white
When we met our courage and mastered fright
When we grappled with cables that tested our might
When we climbed stairs of thigh wrenching flights
When we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on further despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome

This is the way we ended the hike
When the day was done but not the light
When we conquered the rock that is shrouded in white
When we met our courage and mastered fright
When we grappled with cables that tested our might
When we climbed the stairs with thigh wrenching flights
When we scrambled up trails to the left and the right
When we pressed on further despite the heights
When we savored the view
When we left Nevada Falls
When we passed Vernal Falls
When we finished the Mist Trail
When Kim and I hiked Half Dome