Royal Gorge

I took a detour in Colorado
to see Royal Gorge.
I wound up hills, and steeper ones.
I arrived.
A parking lot surrounded by
a wooden fence, which blocked the view,
led to a gate, ticket office.
Tickets cost sixteen dollars
for every adult. Extra to drive across.
On the far side of the fence from me,
a carrousel, a gondola ride,
concession and souvenir stands.
I passed the gates and a guard stopped me.
"Do you have a ticket?" "Can I just look?"
The cost to see nature is necessary
so gondolas, carrousel, and gates are maintained
and the guards, ticket-takers, concession workers,
and maintenance workers are paid.
"No. You need a ticket."
I walked away and never saw the gorge.
Nature used to be free.