01-22-2013, 11:24 PM
If I should fall
As I ascend this mountain wall
Above a sea of sliding scree
Can it a foothold guarantee?
The proven path a safer route
Trodden by the more astute
Look straight ahead and not below
Make steady progress sure but slow
Now burning hotter summer's sun
So much of life as yet unrun
If I should fall
As I ascend this granite wall
The sapping heat of Heaven's eye
Now rules the midpoint of the sky
No shade or water near to hand
In this dramatic dangerous land
Pray soon the midday hour is past
When longer shadows welcome cast
Reflect and ponder circumstance
Necessity to take this chance
Better then to turn around
Descend towards the lower ground
That option brings a greater fear
The downward drop appears more sheer
Long hewn by the wind and rain
To shape this African terrain
A region high and touched by cloud
Where Summer thunder roars out loud
A land where men do seldom stray
And never in the midst of day
On either side the mountains tower
And on the slopes the protea flower
Exotic blooms of torches red
A sight but for the few who tread
This strange and hostile place
Where I alone must danger face
Far below a mountain stream
Fast flowing bright and rushing keen
Through valley, gorge and meadow flees
Its destiny some distant sea
That river's fate so well assured
While mine remains as yet obscured
The flying beetle drones and weaves
Amid amongst Acacia trees
A lizard darts from safe fissure
To regulate his temperature
To rest upon the gnarled granite
Quite still as if inanimate
The Leopard too is known to roam
Amongst these rocks, his mountain home
Sure-footed, lythe and handsome he
Adept at climbing tree or scree
Forbid he senses human scent
And puts an end to my ascent
Whether to attain Life’s dream
One treads unchartered paths unseen
Or takes a slower safer way
More free of risk and jeopardy
In life what is the ruling choice
Which option has the stronger voice?
Yet those who take Life's gentler climb
Must sacrifice the gift of time
As fewer goals can be achieved
Than Youth's ambition once decreed
Moreover comes there great reward
Surmounting dangers untoward
Assess the risk and then decide
Which route along the mountain side
He who never took a chance
Should not complain of circumstance
And yet... if he should fall
As he ascends Life's granite wall
As I ascend this mountain wall
Above a sea of sliding scree
Can it a foothold guarantee?
The proven path a safer route
Trodden by the more astute
Look straight ahead and not below
Make steady progress sure but slow
Now burning hotter summer's sun
So much of life as yet unrun
If I should fall
As I ascend this granite wall
The sapping heat of Heaven's eye
Now rules the midpoint of the sky
No shade or water near to hand
In this dramatic dangerous land
Pray soon the midday hour is past
When longer shadows welcome cast
Reflect and ponder circumstance
Necessity to take this chance
Better then to turn around
Descend towards the lower ground
That option brings a greater fear
The downward drop appears more sheer
Long hewn by the wind and rain
To shape this African terrain
A region high and touched by cloud
Where Summer thunder roars out loud
A land where men do seldom stray
And never in the midst of day
On either side the mountains tower
And on the slopes the protea flower
Exotic blooms of torches red
A sight but for the few who tread
This strange and hostile place
Where I alone must danger face
Far below a mountain stream
Fast flowing bright and rushing keen
Through valley, gorge and meadow flees
Its destiny some distant sea
That river's fate so well assured
While mine remains as yet obscured
The flying beetle drones and weaves
Amid amongst Acacia trees
A lizard darts from safe fissure
To regulate his temperature
To rest upon the gnarled granite
Quite still as if inanimate
The Leopard too is known to roam
Amongst these rocks, his mountain home
Sure-footed, lythe and handsome he
Adept at climbing tree or scree
Forbid he senses human scent
And puts an end to my ascent
Whether to attain Life’s dream
One treads unchartered paths unseen
Or takes a slower safer way
More free of risk and jeopardy
In life what is the ruling choice
Which option has the stronger voice?
Yet those who take Life's gentler climb
Must sacrifice the gift of time
As fewer goals can be achieved
Than Youth's ambition once decreed
Moreover comes there great reward
Surmounting dangers untoward
Assess the risk and then decide
Which route along the mountain side
He who never took a chance
Should not complain of circumstance
And yet... if he should fall
As he ascends Life's granite wall