Ancestral Pilgrimage Part 6: Copenhagen

In June of 2022, I embarked on an Ancestral Pilgrimage searching for my distant European roots. Below are my poetic reflections from the sixth part of my journey- an overnight stop in Copenhagen to explore the less than 10% Danish blood coursing through my veins.

Training north toward Copenhagen

I watch wind turbines turn from inside the sea

We cruise over bridges

Passing sail boats

solar panels

spotted cows

Through deep blue water 

Into the future

Standing stones in the middle of sidewalks

A city of bikes

Long flowing blonde hair flies over pea-coats on upright cruisers
Red bikes 

Turquoise bikes 

White bikes

Green bikes

Sailing between tall stone buildings painted pepto bismol pink

Past murals of broccoli and horses 

A gurgling stomach and heavy eyelids cry

To-go tacos will do

Watching the sunset in a patch of green

Willow trees painted golden

Many a hostel has hosted this 6’3” body

But never in a white box only long enough 

to hold my body 

and my carry on suitcase

I enter an adventure

hoping for Narnia

Greeted by slowly shifting lights

neon green

warm red

cool blue

My upstairs neighbor shifting like we were 6 years olds 

having a sleepover in bunk beds

I wake to splash my face with cold water in the community bathroom 

Above the sink a sign pointing to the sauna

I hear they’re popular up north

20 minutes dripping with sweat and doing natarajasana 

The closest thing to hot yoga since I left Colorado

I step out and see a wooden bucket 

hanging from a thick rope

Must be a cold plunge

“My ancestors knew how!”

I think quietly

I tip the bucket

I find the largest rooted tree in the neighborhood park

Crows flock as I bury my offerings 

Singing I am home in my body

I dip my hands in the bubbling fountain cleansing my ears

Pray al Fatihah and sit