Abram Ring

MOUNTAIN

Here stands the mountain

which I have loved so long.

Some time ago I came to this place

through dark, haunted forests.

The path I took I cannot retrace.

The beginning is all I know.

But when I stepped out of the tangled dark

and found the foot of the mountain,

my eyes grew wide and I sighed inside

as I looked up and up higher,

and I cried to think of the forest,

of how its darkness fed my pride.

My world was all there was in that place--

all else was my fantastic dream.

I was a king as long as I pretended

among the goblins I was strong.

While dragons roared their terrific threats,

I would call it wind and laugh.

Just now I saw a beast, a monster, me

glaring back from a muddy puddle,

and the mountain stood above unmoving

as I was moved within myself,

and I wandered around the mountain

to look for darkness in this place.

Time passed and I found the darkest stands

where dense trees never let in light.

In my search, I found myself everywhere--

the streams and pools were mirrored.

Then in my darkened haunts, I had a dream--

again and again I had it.

Its impulse drove me from yesterday

and I met the rising dawn.

The new day had long expected me

and greeted me with warm embrace.

My dream was to reach the mountain's top,

but the journey is not easy,

and now, as often, I rest myself--

tomorrow will find me busy.

With care I'll search every feature,

every detail of the cliff.

I'll grasp a rock and shift my weight

and start the search again.

Sometimes I fear when I look below

and see the frantic men,

but I turn my face to the mountain

and hold tighter as I climb.

One day my care and steadfast pace

will pay a great reward.

Then I will reach the mountain top

far from the dark and haunted wood

I will stand high, near the Sun,

and I will know every rock I stand on.

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