they're beautiful, you know;
mountains.
each one unique and admirable-
fresh and verdant
or hard and craggy and intimidating
and every sort in between.

I remember
how I used to climb them
just because they were lovely
just because they were there
just because I could.

sometimes
it seemed as though
I went scaling them
absentmindedly -
I'd catch myself in the act
of planting my flag at the summit
without being able
to remember how I'd gotten there.

I say I remember
because
they seem so much taller now,
so much more forbidding;

sure, they smile down at me
all innocent and benevolent

but those gentle slopes
have all become
vertical lifts
and here I am
without any ropes or cleats
or courage -
(I don't remember needing that before).

so I sit here in my dry valley
watching other climbers
conquering snowcaps
with the greatest of ease.

stupid men -


- I mean mountains.

07/23/2008

Posted on 07/23/2008
Copyright © 2025 Maria Francesca