I start at 6,000 feet
I'm glad I have gloves today
After three miles I stopped to eat
Orange, banana, and drink vitamin water

I move down a bit into the canyon
To wash my hands
The water is so clear and cold

As I got to the top of the ridge
A Korean couple makes their way down

He asks me what time?
I asked again what he said
He asked what time I started
I said about 1:15

He said with his accent, "You are very strong, very strong."
I said, "Oh no, you are very fit."

He asked how old he was
He and his wife were seventy-seven

I asked him if he had been to the summit many times
He said, "Yes, many times."

He was born in the year 1935
And still had the strength to reach 10,000 feet

I hiked for about another thirty minutes
And sat on a rock
I meditated on saw the mist come and leave

It floats through in front of the pine I am staring at

I kept the mind free of thoughts
Form is emptiness
Emptiness is form

Maybe I am strong like the Korean man said
After all
I feel like I live in the wrong body
I have an akward body
I am always alone and jobless

At least I have technology
I don't have many friends
And I'm losing at life

At least there is Mt. Baldy
I hope to spend more time there