The fool on the hill.

You spend all your life
to get to the top,
climbing the hill
only to go down hill
at breathtaking speed.
They never tell you
that the joy of going down
the hill is
not the same as
when you were a kid
sliding down on cardboard.
And what is the award
for your life’s service
a little mound of insignificance
with your name engraved.
I came,
I saw,
I tried
to conquer...
that hill
on the top.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Your poem addresses the curse of those who identify only with what they do for a living. This is most people, who push to "move up the ladder" all their lives, then in the end, realize that reaching the top is an empty accomplishment. You use popping details . . . downhill on cardboard . . . life service awards, blah-blah-blah! I was lucky that I never cared about success & so I lived way outside the bounds of the ratrace you describe. I was successful in many things, but most look at me now & see someone who failed to reach the "American Dream"! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

I am hoping the climb down will not be at breatktaking speed. A leisurely pace would suit me better. As soon as I saw your title I was reminded of the Beatles song and started singing along and then your mound of insignificance led me on to Eleanor Rigby. Thank you Andrew for taking me back to my youth. All good wishes.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Thanks Chris, yes great songs of significance taking us back to places we have visited.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, the Beatles certainly delivered great music. Hope you are keeping well Andrew. All the best.

[andrew mitchell]

I’m ok just suffering from severe allergies as always. I hope you are all well too. And I owe you a few reads, just pushed for time of late.

[Chris Shaw]

Poor you with the allergies. All OK here, second vaccines tomorrow. Things are starting to ease up. We have a little more freedom. Don't worry yourself about reviews, the poems aren't going anywhere :)