Typewriter Rodeo: Texas Caves

Each week, the Standard reaches out to Austin’s Typewriter Rodeo for a custom poem on Texas topics.

By Jodi EgertonAugust 5, 2016 10:26 am

Texas has everything: beaches, mountains, forests, and even caves. Whether you prefer Natural Bridge Caverns, Longhorn Cavern, or Enchanted Rock Cave, they’re all great ways to beat the summer heat – if you can brave small spaces, of course.

Texas Caves

Some climb under the earth

to taste the salty air

hearkening back to a Texas

underwater

ages ago

 

Some spelunk to explore

Aiming to touch the farther edges of the

Earth

inside and out

 

Some slither through serpentine tunnels

To see just how far they can squeeze

How tight they can squoosh

How long they can hold til spaciousness

beckons

 

Some descend into caves to catch the slow beauty

Stalactites forming over centuries

Drop castles in extreme slo-mo

 

But me? I go caving out of pure necessity

A way to find nature’s air conditioning

On the hottest Texas summerdays.

(maybe next time I should try

the mall)

Produced by Laura Rice.