Some say the henro trail is long
That a henro needs dedication and perseverance
That walking is difficult and sometimes painful
Others say there is no henro trail
Nor a henro with any particular characteristics
That to say someone walks something makes no sense
Some try to explain by adding
Others try to explain with subtraction
Does sense come from nonsense or vice versa
How do you explain the beauty
Of the morning sun rising in the east
As you bow before the first temple of the morning
The cool wind blowing through the bamboo
On a hot afternoon
Of climbs and descents
The smile offered with settai
At yet another convenience store
Where you stop for onigiri for lunch
How do you explain
Without adding more words and ideas
The truth of it all
How do you explain the love
That people shower on you all day
As your lives touch for 30 seconds
The respect you are given
By all you meet
For just being who you are
How do you explain the emptiness
That has filled your life to the brim
And nourished your entire being
Nothing of substance is offered
Nothing of value is taken
Yet this value and substance enriches the world
Some say the henro trail is something
Others say it is nothing
Both miss it even as they hit the bulls-eye
How do you explain it all
When you and it aren't separate
And only a henro remains
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