Thursday, May 03, 2018
The Ascent––poem by Dorothy
Note: to anyone living in Boulder: I have to move sometime before July 31 and am seeking a one bedroom, unfurnished apartment with a view. Please let me know of any vacancies coming up. You can contact me by e-mail (dorothywalters72@gmail.com) or else on FB. Thanks.
The Ascent
If you want to ascend this mountain,
you must throw away
everything you have carried
to sustain you thus far.
No maps, no compasses,
no neatly packed lunches
and flasks of refreshing drinks.
You must be willing
to climb alone
into unmarked regions,
across valleys and steep hills,
over rocks and boulders,
scree and ice.
At times you will think
you cannot go on,
that you will perish
of exhaustion,
of feelings of abandonment.
A voice will say, "Continue"
and you will summon your strength,
even if your boots are torn
and your body cries out
for rest.
When you finally arrive there,
you will be blinded by light
and ravished by love.
You will wonder if
this is what you came for,
the prize you were seeking.
Already you will be transformed
into something other,
someone whose longing
is only for more,
to be embraced again and again
by the invisible nameless who is there
to receive you,
to tell you that She is the one you desire.
You will not turn back.
There is no way down.
Dorothy Walters
April 2, 2018
