A Mountain's Challenge

majestic he seems, staring down at me with provocative, charcoal-cavern eyes challenging me to forge upward massive boulders, slippery streams and fallen trees arduous obstacles he puts before me shall I take his dare perhaps ascending a few steps closer to cerulean heaven reach out to touch the kaleidoscope rainbow an arc above this complex journey’s struggle or is communing with the universal consciousness beyond reach will I step, slip, stumble and fall if I climb, seeking to prove myself finding visions of self awareness as he urges me on only to wonder why I see nothing but myself in a shroud of misty gray loneliness at the peak far easier it would be to lay my head upon the verdant meadow’s grassy pillow content to admire him from afar rather than challenge myself to win his approval gratify my ambitious nature what satisfaction will come if I remain complacent in my life’s lackluster station never growing, never knowing what might have been if I’d listened to his provocative voice
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Chiri Avatar
December 26, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Carolyn congrats on your top win!;)
Toney Avatar
January 6, 2019 at 9:29 PM
Carolyn, very nice free verse. I have thought about the mountain's challenge, but instead have been the one who lays "my head upon the verdant meadow's grassy pillow." :) Congrats on your win on mile 9 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon contest. By continuing to place in the contest you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark
Austin Avatar
September 15, 2014 at 3:57 PM
Cezanne loved the mountain as symbolic also. Good stuff, old friend. Congrats on the selection. Love, daver
Ferguson Avatar
September 15, 2014 at 5:33 AM
you have so much going on in the moment, and bring a lot of feeling with it,
Locksley Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 12:16 AM
We make a choice to challenge ourselves or stay out of the race. Challenges always seem to reap rewards.
Sietesantos Avatar
August 9, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Congratulations, Carolyn, on your great win. I enjoyed reading this wonderful piece of poetry. Great write! Pandita
Trichet Avatar
August 8, 2014 at 11:25 PM
Congrats Carolyn, loved it.
Dietrich Avatar
August 8, 2014 at 8:35 PM
wow, this one is very deep, Carolyn. BIG congrats on your well deserved win.
Ryerson Avatar
August 8, 2014 at 5:11 PM
When I first commented on this beauty, I did not know it was entered in Charlotte's contest...Not surprised to see it on her list! Congratulations my friend and I hope you are feeling better - Tim
Bordner Avatar
August 8, 2014 at 1:41 PM
The Mountain Temple knows your Station Carolyn, you must lecture your own Degree. In you is the champion's glee!" A few steps closer to cerulean heaven..." oh I love that texture and meaning. You have a sweet soul. J.A.B.
Gibson Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 8:01 PM
This is, perhaps, my favorite of your writing, Carolyn. Wonderful imagery. Congratulations.
Johnson Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 7:22 PM
This is wonderful Carolyn. But I hope you don't give in to his lure and go climbing those wild mountains. Great poem and win. Love, Joyce
Puddifoot Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 6:41 AM
carolyn, this is one of the best poems I've read of yours; you've described life's struggles with such intricate imagery, and the poem contains some wonderful phrases such as "charcoal cavern eyes" - congrats on your win in my contest! :)
A. Sharma Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 5:51 AM
Glad to see my fav write on winners list,,top7,, wish cud give more,, back again wid huge congrats !
Callus Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 5:25 AM
This work is written with such deep feelings and sincerity that it rubs off on the reader. Excellent is the least I can say! great imagery and choice of words, too. Your life's journey has not been easy, yet you never give up. God bless you. Congrats on your win...much deserved. // paul
Nehls Avatar
August 6, 2014 at 5:11 PM
Wow! Carolyn, this is a wonderful poem with great imagery of life's struggles and how we can grow from them. True self is found within the climb. Very well written, I totally enjoyed it..... Robert.
Goff Avatar
August 5, 2014 at 7:49 PM
Your rainbows are within reach, Carolyn! You deserve cerulean sunrises! Jimbo
Devonshire Avatar
August 6, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Yo, Jimbo. Reservations made!! Seeing two poet friends on one trip is going to be amazing. Hugs for you (in person!), Carolyn
Ryerson Avatar
August 4, 2014 at 4:36 PM
Every line and every verse a true gem; Loaded with alliteration used to perfection topped off with a wonderful internal rhyme in the last verse...WOW---So what are we waitin on here? Grab your climbin shoes and let's go! - Tim
Devonshire Avatar
August 6, 2014 at 3:12 PM
Jimbo and I should be trekking through some forests near Lake Superior in September. Don't have climbing shoes - I just stay close to the ground. There's an art to climbing. Thanks for your kind comments, Tim.
Horsman Avatar
August 4, 2014 at 3:56 PM
climbers always claim, to dare!, is because it is there,,,a little like poetry,, if one feels something needs to be said,,we write it down,,,,,here you have combined the two together,,, wonderful to read, so glad to have had the honour of reading you again, Carolyn especially as my time is very limited on soup now.....
Devonshire Avatar
August 6, 2014 at 3:13 PM
Sweet Harry, how I've missed hearing from you. My time is limited by health problems, but I think of you often.
Smith Avatar
August 3, 2014 at 7:18 PM
Don't be complacent my dear but you don't need to win his approval. Show him you are interested and fate will dictate the rest...beautiful piece....hugs Tim
Lindley Avatar
August 3, 2014 at 6:18 PM
Take the leap my friend. When the landing goes well life is jubilant . When it goes bad we prosper from our mistake. Your very well written/inspiring poem says it so very much better.... Bravo!!!!
Gorelick Avatar
August 3, 2014 at 8:31 AM
I agree with these comments. Gosh, its good to have you back. BG
A. Sharma Avatar
August 3, 2014 at 8:25 AM
Oh Carolyn this is real art my dear ! Lovely words, wonderful imagery,, poetry in great sense my friend ! Hv a blessed day !
Manassian Avatar
August 3, 2014 at 1:47 AM
Oh my dear...You are a fantastic author, Carolyn. This is a true beauty. Oh...some people just see a mountain...You've given us personification's glory. The need to persevere, to taste a different reality is so expertly woven here. What choice of words: provocative, charcoal cavern eyes...Need I write more. I'm impressed. Going to my favs
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