I spent this weekend at the Grand Canyon. With three dear friends, I hiked from the South Rim down to the Colorado River, camped one night, and then hiked back up.

It’s going to take me more than a few days to process what we saw and did. For now, I offer this poem written by my wonderful and talented friend, Maria Rivera. It sums up the joy of this trip just beautifully.  She calls it, “You’re Not a Monkey.”

You’re not a monkey.
But sometimes,
when you’ve
finished all you have to do,
Words like “wheee” and “free” and “sway” and “play”
Reach out,
telling you it’s time
To find the nearest tree.

To pick out a branch
Around which to wrap your tail
and swing
like there’s no
tomorrow.