Mountains Too Tall

Poetry

Karsten Würth

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I was born a lowlander
Like most, I dreamed of the sky

Others followed a well-worn path
Seeking a way out
Longing for higher ground

I didn’t have the courage
I rambled
I wandered
I explored

One day, I looked up
A mighty mountain stood before me
Could I scale it?
What would I find at the apex?
Would it be worth the climb?

I made an attempt
Half-hearted
Placing music at its base
Each note a stepping stone

I made progress in the climb
It was challenging
But I wasn’t disciplined or ambitious
The peak still loomed far above me

My confidence waned
I looked around for others to carry me up
A strategy that rarely finds favor
It failed

The mountain remained as tall as ever
I no longer climbed
The decades passed
I rambled
I wandered
I explored

One day, I glanced up
Another mighty mountain stood before me
I wondered if I could climb it
What would I find at the peak?
Would it be worth the trial?

This time, I placed words at its base
Each word a stepping stone

For each word I placed
Ten thousand rolled down the mountain
An avalanche of content
others used to climb
buried my words before I could gain a foothold

I persisted
I was brave
I was disciplined
I was ambitious
I toiled, bruised and battered
I gained little ground

I returned to the flatlands and built a cabin
with a view of the mountains

From time to time
I walk over to the mountains
and leave a small sliver of my heart
To lift my spirit
Or for the satisfaction of knowing
a few may wander by and enjoy my offerings

Those not consumed with the climb

I no longer consider reaching the top
Perhaps it is better to look up than down
Or perhaps I am just old

Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.

Mark