Mind and Mountain

MIND AND MOUNTAIN Life A climbing process A gradual, grand ascent to view? Mind can inveigle such To go where all manner wild affecting grows Foothills of some towering height Mind can spirit one there Ascent would be steep Though earnest, determined Path narrow With stones of many sizes underfoot And trees! Such a wealth of enduring life Resonating valley view At intervals See a meadow Brook and wild life passing through At one of these lush spreads I would stop Dabble toes in the crystal stream Then push on Seeking seeking A view of the top And the summit Hazy through the mist Well above timberline Many stones now Huge boulders Make faulting my climb The backward glance, though, faultless, clear But rare the breath Weakening the will At last the top Ah, the pain! With blue heaven still afar Dave Austin