Judith Wright’s poem “Rockface” uses personification to give life to the mountains to help show the relationship between the people and the land. I have experienced a similar connection to a piece of land that Wright describes.
In 2011, my father passed away in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Machu Picchu, Peru, while hiking through the ruins. Being one of the oldest collections of traditional Inca ruins in the world, Machu Picchu could never be duplicated or replicated in any way. The thought of this worldly treasure ever being destroyed or damaged in any way breaks my heart, not just because of its cultural history and beauty, but also because of my personal connection to it.
I visited the site in 2016, five years after my father’s death, and was blown away by the breathtaking views of the mountains in every direction, and intricate ruins that were built into the land. Nothing could ever compare to the feeling of being up in the clouds on some of the oldest land in the world, surrounded by the history and culture from thousands of years ago. But mostly, there is nowhere else in the world I have ever felt the air and the atmosphere almost wrap around me physically and squeeze me tightly, as though it recognised me and was welcoming me. I felt like I was coming home to a place I had never been before. Sadly however, there has already been environmental impact from the outstanding number of tourists that visit the site each day, and the government has imposed restrictions in an attempt to preserve it, but there is only so much that can be done without closing it off entirely to the public.
It hurts me to think that there will ever become a day that I will be unable to easily go visit the site, admire its beauty, and feel the embrace of it, but it is unfortunately a possible reality. It is so bittersweet that sometimes, the most beautiful corners of the world are ruined so quickly once people get to experience it.
(Picture below taken by me of the Machu Picchu ruins 29/10/2011.)
Lilly Flack Literature Blog 
Amazing…well done Lilly!
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Lilly, you have really highlighted the importance of place. Particularly the relationship between the mountains and the people, which you have argued that it has been made possible through Wright’s use of personification. Your ability to connect this message both historically and personally to your own experiences was done flawlessly. Particularly, your discussion connecting Wright’s use of personification with in her literature and your description of Machu Picchu was excellent. This also enabled for you to make strong connections to your opening statement and the whole idea that the mountain has its own meaning. Overall, this is an excellent piece of writing, keep it up.
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