The Mountain

The mountain sat impassively, daring
Asking no questions
Just waiting for the moment
The slip of unconquered glory
Death, or worse, permanent injury
You took my legs old friend
I hold no malice
Probably love you more
I’ll be getting my new ones soon
Walking in no time they say
But walking is no good to people like us
It’s the intimacy
We are one
I promise to be gentle
If I make it, I won’t gloat
If not, we stay friends forever.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This poem, on the surface, seems to be about climbing some tough obstacle, but it also has a fair sprinkling of side ideas that caused my mind to reel for a bit after I finished reading. As you may or may not know, I couldn't walk for about 5 years & it hasn't been that long since I spent 2 years trying to walk again. Before this all happened, my favorite thing in life was to hike up a mountain, which I used to do all the time. Anyhow, getting back to your poem . . . it feels like the narrator is fighting thru a number of enemies, trying to get to this higher place and in so doing, cementing a friendship or love (for a companion or for a mountain or for a struggle). So often I feel inspired when I read you.

[Paul Bell]

It was fair to say he had his struggles.
No i didn't know you couldn't walk for five years. What the hell happened.

[barleygirl]

Neck injury caused paralysis & excruciating pain in my legs for a few years there. It wasn't a sudden thing, but my neck gradually failing. Many said I'd never walk again & climbing that mnt was the hardest thing I ever did, even harder than riding my bicycle across the US! Your poem brought so much of that back to me! *whew!*

[Paul Bell]

Must have been some injury, Margie. Mind you. Riding across the USA. That must have been awesome. That's real saddle sore for sure.

[barleygirl]

My c**t has never been the same after grinding on the bicycle saddle for 8 hours/day, 2 months straight! *wink! wink!* I dare you to write one of your irreverent poems about THAT! (((HUGS)))

[Paul Bell]

Would that title be. The Tyred c**t.lol
Mind you, you wouldn't need to give the old headache excuse.

[barleygirl]

Belly laugh . . .

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked this poem. I wanted more.
You took my legs old friend
"I hold no malice
Probably love you more
I’ll be getting my new ones soon
Walking in no time they say
But walking is no good to people like us"
The above lines. So good. Thank you Paul for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Paul Bell]

They sure gain your respect.

[Coyote Poetry]

They did and I liked the logic. We can't win.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Paul Bell,
"The Mountain" "Sat impassivly, daring asking no questions." a powerful opening line for the reality of great possibilities of time, sweat, and the "will I make it" feelings on this hike.Well the reality then becomes real with"unconquered glory..permanent injury." You are still friends with this quiet mountain? This is so intense to me and a delight of quizzical thought!So then "walking is no good to people like us." Wow! But then the soul does not lay down and quit; I was inspired here. It's the intimacy. We are one. I promise to be gentle. I I make it, I won't gloat. If not, we stay friends forever..............a blessed poem..........Kathy

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Kathy. It's one of my favourites. Mainly written in respect for the big tree in the garden i grew up in. ( House attached. lol.) It took me four years from the age of four, countless falls, to finally conquer it. So in a way, it definitely was my first love.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Paul Bell,
Oh I'm sorry. Well mountain or great big tree...hmm ok. so this is a story of the reality of your self as a youth and the desire to conguor something you were faced and challenged by in young life. How very cool. I had a similar tree too. You know it has never occurred to me to write about it. We people have so much in common if we are looking. Thank you for this great explanation..........Bless you. kathy

[The Iron Horseman]

Very thought provoking. I have known a few people with the mountain obsession. You have captured it very well.

[Paul Bell]

I just have the running obsession. Though if there was a bar at the top of the mountain, i'm in.

[The Iron Horseman]

lol! Try and find a bar in the valley and i will join you! :)

[Shabeeh Haider]

The mountain invites you....dare you climb and reach the top? I f you fall down, you will fall at your own risk.
It is like someone I know so well.... In the end you are left alone to lick your wounds.

[Paul Bell]

Some things have to be climbed. Apart from snow mountains.

[Marina]

I like how you portray the intimacy between a person and the mountain; as one. And giving off the faintest hint of mountains just being there, always.

[Paul Bell]

Yeah the mountain just sits there inviting you to do your best.

[Lydia Shutter]

The personification of the mountain is great. The butting heads, the conflict...it's great. Inner conflict or the conflict of life on a daily basis....we have to face it. Good one. Lydi**

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

And you seemed like such a he'll raiser...who knew?😉

[Paul Bell]

I'm the mountain. lol.