Everything We Need: Poems from El Camino

These vibrant poems probe not just the five-sensual and emotional hiking of Camino de Santiago, but an ineffable sixth sense. The seeking is not religious, "unbelieving, I pray," but a pilgrimage into mysteries of self, why the poet and her wife put their comfort and health at risk, "the suffering we chose," vs. the cancer coda, which they survive by taking agency, by naming that trial a second Camino they must master in their larger quest, with that un-nameable sixth sense. They find "everything we need, in our legs,/and beating hearts," yet still, we don't know why. Their Camino is a test of faith in self, in life, and something universal, "our will to keep going, a mysticism we can believe," yet never fully apprehend, "grateful to our bodies and minds,/for letting spirit through."

I have walked five Caminos across Portugal and Spain, and now a sixth with Laura and Clara, and a seventh with them as they walk Clara's journey through cancer treatment. Laura leads us with her as she condenses the Camino into bright glimpses of moments felt, seen, heard and smelled along The Way. Yes, I return with them: the rain, the hills, exhaustion, wearily trudging on, looking up to catch a moment of sunlight, a rainbow, and offering the prayers of a non-believer, just in case. If you want to live a Camino, or re-live one, these poems will take you there, Buen Camino!!

-Larry Crane, Founder of Arkansas Pilgrims on the Camino

If you're looking for inspiration to walk this ancient path, or longing to return to The Way that brought gifts you still carry with you, Laura Foley's Everything We Need is a treasure of textured memories that elegantly invites us to our own path, right where we are. I'm glad these poems have reminded me just how delicious my Camino experiences have been; how the dust and rain, the mountains and Meseta, the cafe con leche and tortilla, and the host of fellow pilgrim travellers have helped me to see myself and the world with greater clarity and compassion.

-Christa Hesselink, Founder of SoulPlay.ca

In this beautiful collection of poetry, Laura shares her journey on the Camino de Santiago. Yet each poem brings its own mini journey, whether that be of a day, a meal or an experience. Running in parallel are the lives of the pilgrims on their quest, alongside the everyday lives of those who live and work along this spiritual path. I met Laura on the path and I smile at the many memories evoked by these poems. Enjoy your own journey through them.

-Heather Waring, author of How Walking Saved My Life