Walking up, I felt like I wanted to give the walls an infinite hug.

Not to dominate and top them,

but to let the weight of my comparably insignificant burdens rest

on their sides.

And then, perched on a baby tendril of sandstone outcropping,

I imagine —

staying seated the entire day.

The sun passes in its own, even more awesome arch.

My shadow tilts and I watch myself grow

and shrink

from right

to left.

I imagine the constant presence it would take to be as strong as these walls,

witnessing both horrors and delights

and simply noticing the day.

“Ah, so this is what today is offering,”

I imagine the stones rumble.

Even as they are forced to change by wind,

rain,

and tourists.

The walls simply notice.